Thousands of Nigerian Muslims are facing uncertainty as they may miss the 2024 Ramadan Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia due to the authorities' decision to halt Umrah visa issuance.
The development has sparked anxiety and agitation among intending pilgrims, especially with Ramadan nearing its halfway mark.
The suspension of Umrah visas is not only affecting pilgrims but also posing financial risks to hajj and Umrah operators, who have made substantial hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah.
Several flights scheduled to transport intending pilgrims have already been canceled or rescheduled, exacerbating the situation.
According to reports, a flight from Kano to Saudi Arabia, intended to carry over 300 Umrah pilgrims, failed to depart as most passengers could not secure their visas on time.
This setback comes at a time when Ramadan is traditionally considered an Umrah season in Nigeria and other countries, with Muslims aiming to spend the last 10 days of the fasting month in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser hajj.
Travel agents have pointed fingers at a new visa policy introduced by Saudi authorities, citing its three-month validity and two-week duration of stay as reasons for the slow issuance of visas.
Many intending pilgrims had secured visas since the 7th month of the Islamic calendar but delayed their entry until Ramadan due to the visa's validity period.
The delay in visa issuance has led to frustration among intending pilgrims, with some resorting to paying exorbitant amounts, up to N2 million, to secure visas that typically cost less.
Many pilgrims, who had meticulously planned their trips months in advance, now find themselves in limbo, forced to reschedule their tickets or face disappointment.
While efforts are underway to resolve the visa issuance crisis, the decision of Saudi authorities to halt visa issuance stems from overcrowding concerns, with some pilgrims overstaying their visas in previous years.
However, the move has left thousands of intending pilgrims in Nigeria and beyond uncertain about their Umrah plans for this year's fasting month.
