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Saudi Gov’t Limits Hajj 2021 to 60,000 Citizens & Residents – No Foreign Travelers Allowed

Saudi Arabia has announced that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be limited to 60,000 pilgrims. Furthermore, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, they are all from within the kingdom. The announcement was made Saturday by the kingdom’s state-run Saudi Press Agency. The decision was made by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, according to the statement.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims. During the week-long hajj, around 2.5 million pilgrims visit the holy sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah. However, the ongoing COVID-19 spread around the world has cast a shadow over this year’s Hajj as well. The Hajj season begins in mid-July.

Hajj 2021 Still Limited to 60,000 Citizens & Residents, No Foreigners Allowed – Saudi Gov’t

The health and Hajj ministries confirmed on Saturday that 60,000 pilgrims will be able to perform the journey this year. It emphasized that anyone seeking to perform Hajj must be free of any chronic illness and be between the ages of 18 and 65 for those immunized against the virus in accordance with the kingdom’s immunization protocols, the Gulf News reported.

“In light of what the whole world is witnessing from the continuing developments of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new mutations, Hajj registration will be limited to residents and citizens from inside the Kingdom only,” the Saudi Hajj ministry announced on Twitter.

#عاجل
تعلن #وزارة_الحج_والعمرة عن آليات وضوابط #حج_1442هـ pic.twitter.com/Ljz1Ex3Prq

— وزارة الحج والعمرة (@HajMinistry) June 12, 2021

Furthermore, Hajj pilgrims should be fully vaccinated, or have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior, or be immunized after recovering from coronavirus illness.

The decision is “based on the Kingdom’s persistent desire to enable guests and tourists at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to undertake the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” according to the ministry. “The Kingdom prioritizes human health and safety.”

In last year’s Hajj, as few as 1,000 pilgrims who already lived in Saudi Arabia performed the hajj. Foreign citizens of the 160 different nationalities made up two-thirds of the population. Saudi security and medical professionals made up one-third of the total.

Among the several health rules issued last year was a prohibition on touching the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, during the Hajj. Furthermore, throughout the rites, the ministry imposed a social distancing gap of a meter and a half between each pilgrim.

60,000 vaccinated pilgrims residing in #SaudiArabia can perform Hajj this year.
Decisions have been taken due to the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic for the 2nd year in a row. #Hajj2021
Ya Allah Karam farma Ameen pic.twitter.com/wmvjn8zXKc

— SAM KHAN (@SamKhanpti1) June 13, 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has compelled the Saudi government to take stringent measures. Muslims around the world can only pray and hope that the coronavirus situation improves before Hajj.

Saudi Evaluates Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid Pandemic

After assessing the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Saudi Arabia will announce this year’s Hajj and Umrah preparations, acting Saudi minister of media Dr. Majid Al Qasabi told the media in Riyadh on June 6.

The existence of COVID variations, according to Dr. Al Qasabi, highlights the importance of a detailed assessment of the virus’s spread since “we don’t want this year’s Haj to be an epicentre for the spread of the disease in the Kingdom or the Muslim world.” He stated that the Hajj, Umrah, and health ministers would make a decision soon.

Saudi Arabia Reviews Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid Pandemic

Meanwhile, Eng. Hesham Abdulmonem Saeed, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Services for Haj and Umrah performers, told the media that the safe Umrah model emphasized protection by managing pilgrim crowds going to the Grand Mosque through booked time slots, as well as improving services for their personal needs using the most up-to-date modern techniques, the Khaleej Times reported.

He added that the Eatmarna app established by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) also verifies the health of permission applicants, noting that this is a cooperative effort including the governmental, private, and voluntary sectors.

He noted that the Hajj and Umrah Ministries, as well as the Ministries of Interior, Health, and the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, are working together to make Hajj and Umrah easier for pilgrims and tourists.

Only after the construction of a safe model that highlighted current technologies, including digitizing procedures to offer pilgrims with needed services through multiple options supplied by the ministry, was the Haj and gradual reintroduction of Umrah allowed in October of last year.

The Eatmarna application, which allows users to seek permission (prayer permissions, Umrah permits, and Rawdah praying permissions) at Makkah and Madinah’s mosques, is highlighted in the tech-focused models.

Around 20 million people downloaded the app, and over 30,000 people employed the services of Inaya (care) centers in Makkah and Madinah to aid pilgrims from other countries.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry also established four transportation sites to convey worshippers and pilgrims to and from Makkah’s Grand Mosque.

Saudi Lifts Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Travellers

International tourists arriving by air from most countries will no longer need to be quarantined if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, Saudi Arabia reported on Sunday (May 16).

Visitors from 20 other nations, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United Arab Emirates, are also barred from entering the kingdom as part of anti-coronavirus initiatives.

Quarantine No Longer Required for Vaccinated Travellers in Saudi Arabia

Non-Saudi tourists arriving in the kingdom by air from qualifying countries who are completely vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 and recovered will no longer be required to stay in government-approved hotels for seven days as long as they present an official vaccination certificate upon arrival, according to the civil aviation authority (GACA), the Al-Arabiya reported.

Currently, all travelers entering the kingdom must be quarantined for seven to fourteen days, depending on their origin countries, and provide negative PCR checks.

As of May 20, anyone over the age of eight who has not been vaccinated must quarantine for seven days at their own expense upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and have a negative PCR test on the sixth day of their arrival, according to GACA.

They must also present a valid health insurance policy that covers COVID-19 risks. They’ll also need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before flying to the kingdom.

Separately, the Saudi ministry of interior reported that due to COVID-19 threats, Saudi citizens are still prohibited from flying directly or indirectly to 13 countries without prior permission from authorities.

Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Belarus, and India are the countries involved.

To help combat the spread of the coronavirus, the kingdom suspended entry from 20 countries in February, with the exception of ambassadors, Saudi residents, medical professionals, and their relatives.

Saudi to Reopen Borders Starting May 17

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it will lift its travel ban on those travelling overseas beginning 1:00 am on May 17.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority also said in a circular that they may continue suspending travel to specific countries where the coronavirus pandemic situation remains unchanged.

Saudi’s Travel Ban on Citizens Traveling Overseas to be Lifted Starting May 17

In line with this, the Authority confirmed the date in a statement it sent out to local airports that all international flights and airports will resume regular operations in May instead of March 31, as earlier announced in January, the Arab News reported.

In the meantime, Saudi domestic airports are seeing a quicker recovery in routes within the Kingdom than larger regional rivals relying on pandemic-paralyzed long-haul travel.

The Middle East has suffered particularly because of the global aviation slowdown due to its comparatively under-developed domestic market.

“The domestic recovery in Saudi Arabia is already showing positive signs, in frequency terms at least,” CAPA analyst Richard Maslen revealed.

Weekly domestic flights in the Kingdom have grown to about 3,000, according to data from CAPA.

This represents just a 23 per cent decline over the first two months of the year compared with the same period a year ago before COVID-19 restrictions hit.

Now, Saudi-based Employers and Recruiters Should Not Use the Word ‘Maid’ in Job Adverts

saudi based employers should not use maid in job ads

The Saudi government has announced that no form of job advertisements, whether on paper or online, should use the word ‘maid’ after it has considered it to be derogatory under new regulations aimed to uphold the rights of foreign workers in terms of the recruitment process.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Commerce, job advertisements should not include terms such as “servant” or “maid”, and instead, advertise for “workers”.

Now, Use of ‘Maid’ in Job Adverts Considered Derogatory in Saudi Arabia

Moreover, the new directives lay down that workers will not bear any financial costs “under any circumstances” for exchanges of work permits or similar paperwork changes, the National reported

According to the new directives, such changes can be made only with the workers’ consent and employers cannot refer to such payments in job advertisements.

In line with this, advertisements are not allowed to publish personal photos, identity card copies, residency permit or any other personal data.

Saudi Arabia is home to 10 million foreign workers, including 3.7 million domestic workers, and has taken measures in recent years to boost employment protection and prevent abuse.

Meanwhile, Saudis and expatriates living in the kingdom praised the changes.

Since March 14, expatriates no longer need their employers’ permission to change jobs, travel or leave Saudi Arabia, as part of the National Transformation Programme under Vision 2030.

Under the Programme, Saudi intends to improve the citizen and residents’ living standards by improving the quality of services provided in Saudi cities and improving the living conditions of expats in the Kingdom, among others.

Despite Kafala Reform, Many Filipinos in Saudi Still Vulnerable to Abuse – Expert

Despite Kafala Reform, Many Filipinos in Saudi Still Vulnerable for Abuse - Expert

At least 500,000 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are still at risk for exploitation and abuse despite the reform ‘abolishing’ the kafala system. The move aims to ease working restrictions on some foreign nationals in the country including the freedom to change jobs and foreign workers’ right to leave the country without the employers’ permission.

The change, however, fails to cover the large majority of Filipino workers in the country, as most of them are still subject to the effects of the abusive system, which was often associated with slavery.

Millions of OFWs in Saudi Still Vulnerable Despite Abolishment of Kafala System

Recruitment and migrants expert Emmanuel Geslani said that Filipino domestic workers and low-skilled workers were not covered by the reform regarding the Kafala system as this was strictly only for skilled workers, which was implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on March 14, 2021, the Manila Standard reported.

According to Geslani: “Our OFWs who are classified as Household Service Workers are still under the yoke of their sponsors and are not covered by the liberation given to skilled workers”.

He explained that domestic workers classified as HSWs, drivers and gardeners were vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment by their sponsors in the households of these employers.

In line with this, the Philippines has called on the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to remove the Kafala system in their efforts to acquire Filipino domestic workers who are highly in demand in both Middle Eastern nations.

Saudi Arabia has an estimated 500,000 domestic workers whereas Kuwait has are over 250,000 Filipinos working there as such.

However, these domestic workers are restricted by the system to change employers or leave the country despite the termination of their contracts without the “exit visa” provided by their sponsors.

Such a term has been prone to abuse by Arab sponsors who refuse to issue exit visas unless payment is made by the Philippine Embassy amounting up to $5,000 in cases where the Filipino has asked for help to adjudicate the case with their sponsor.

Meanwhile, only skilled workers are allowed under the new system to change employers or leave Saudi Arabia without the need for an exit visa from their employer.

As such, Geslani has called on the Philippine government to act on the problem to prevent further abuse of Filipino domestic workers from their employers.

Viral Video: Domestic Helper Rescued from Angry Employer’s Abuse

Here’s an important reminder to all employers regarding how you treat ALL your workers: Do not beat them up or abuse them, even if you’re having difficulty dealing with them or they make errors. It is NOT right that you physically abuse or assault them in any way! A video clip of a Filipino domestic worker who has been maltreated is making rounds on social media. where an angry Arab employer

This reflects the real work conditions of some workers in the Middle East, specifically domestic helpers. As such, the government in the Philippines has enacted bilateral agreements to ensure the protection of the rights of Filipino workers abroad.

Filipina Housemaid Rescued from Abuse in Saudi, Employer is Now In Jail

According to a Philippine news report, the Filipina domestic helper in Saudi Arabia has allegedly been maltreated and abused by her employer.

In the somewhat sensitive video, the Filipina worker can be seen being repeatedly hit by her Arab employer with a broomstick. The employer was also shouting at the worker and berating her.

If that wasn’t enough, the Filipina was even slapped, pushed around, and beaten up. According to the Filipina whose identity was kept anonymous, this is not the first time her employer had abused her. She recorded the video and posted it on social media.

saudi filipina safe now from employer — Screenshot of Philippines TV program – Raffy Tulfo in Action

Meanwhile, Raffy Tulfo, a host of a TV program in the Philippines, has featured the OFW’s story in more detail.

Raffy Tulfo’s program is a venue where many Filipino nationalities ask for help especially for abused cases. According to Filipina, she has been working for this employer for more than a year. She said that everything was okay when she first started doing her work, but after the first year, her employer started to have a different attitude towards her. He has become short-tempered, impatient, and physically abusive with her.

saudi employer angry at filipina domestic worker — Screenshot of Philippines TV program – Raffy Tulfo in Action

When the employer found out about the post, he confronted his employee and even brought a clothes iron with him.

At this point, the Filipina worker left her employer’s residence to ask for help from a nearby restaurant, where other people came to her aid. Fortunately, the situation did not escalate and the Filipina is already in the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the employer has been put in prison.

Here’s the report as posted on Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube:

To all Filipino workers and household service workers, know your rights. And seek for help if anyone, most especially your employer is becoming abusive (physically or verbally). Go to the nearest police station or visit an overseas welfare office, the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section, more specifically.

Employers, on the other hand, should respect their workers in the same way you want to be respected. Violence is never a solution. Even if you are having a bad day or a hard time dealing with your employees, never think of them as any less than you – and resorting to abuse.

They are human beings, too, and must be dealt with dignity and respect. If you cannot handle them, you can go through the legal process in your country but never use violence.

Such actions should never be tolerated. Abuse, regardless of who is doing it, is never justifiable.

Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Hajj 2021

Saudi authorities have floated the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccination as part of the requirement to be allowed to attend the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Saudi Arabia takes pride in the guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina and its smooth organisation of the annual Hajj, which has been marred in the past by deadly stampedes, fires and riots.

Hajj 2021: Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination

Saudi’s health minister said in a circular: “The COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Haj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come),” Al Jazeera reported.

The congregation of millions of pilgrims from around the world can be a major cause of coronavirus transmission. In the past, worshippers have returned home with respiratory and other diseases.

In a circular released by Saudi’s Ministry of Health, its minister, Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah said that the government must be prepared to “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Mecca and Medina”.

In line with this, the facilities will be stationed at entry points for pilgrims, he said, in addition to a formation of a vaccination committee for pilgrims within Saudi Arabia.

Last year, the kingdom reduced the number of attendees and pilgrims last year due to the pandemic to 1,000.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government.

The pilgrimage last year was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Saudi Suspends Travel from UAE, India, Pakistan Among 20 Countries

Saudi Arabia Suspends Travel from UAE, India, Pakistan Among 20 Countries

The Saudi government on Tuesday (February 2), suspended the entry of passengers from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners, and their families, to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

The temporary travel ban will take place starting February 3.

[COVID-19 UPDATE] Saudi Government Bars Travel to and from UAE, India, Pakistan and Other Countries

According to Saudi’s state news agency, the UAE, Pakistan, and India are among the 20 countries included in the temporary travel ban, the Khaleej Times reported.

A statement from the Ministry of Interior said that the suspension would be implemented from 9 pm (10 pm UAE time) on February 3.

The temporary travel suspension will include those coming from other countries if they passed through any of the 20 countries during the 14 days preceding the request to enter the Kingdom.

The statement added that citizens, diplomats, health practitioners, and their families coming from the aforementioned countries or those who transited any of those countries during the 14 days preceding their return to the Kingdom will enter the Kingdom in accordance with the precautionary measures imposed by the Ministry of Health.

Here is the list of the 20 countries included in Saudi’s travel suspension.

United Arab Emirates
Argentina
Germany
United States
Indonesia
Britain
South Africa
France
India
Pakistan
Egypt
Lebanon
Ireland
Italy
Brazil
Portugal
Turkey
Sweden
Switzerland
Japan

The ministry said that the decision was based on the recommendations of Saudi health ministry experts.

#عاجل
مصدر مسؤول بوزارة الداخلية: تعليق السماح بدخول المملكة لغير المواطنين والدبلوماسيين والممارسين الصحيين وعائلاتهم مؤقتاً للقادمين من 20 دولة اعتباراً من الساعة 9 من مساء يوم الأربعاء الموافق 3 / 2 / 2021م.#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/e1aTCS8tXP

— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 2, 2021

The kingdom has recorded at least 367,800 cases and 6,370 deaths so far, the highest tally in the Middle East. It saw daily infections fall from a peak above 4,000 in June to dip below the 100-mark in early January.

Saudi and Gulf Allies to End Years-long Blockade on Qatar, Reopen Borders

Saudi Arabia together with its regional allies, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, have agreed to end a years-long disabling blockade on Qatar as well as reopen their borders in a breakthrough agreement signed on Tuesday (January 5).

With the agreement, Riyadh has sanctioned the reopening of its airspace, land, and sea borders with Doha, signaling the end of a dispute stretching back to June 2017.

Saudi and Gulf Allies to Reopen Borders with Qatar, Signaling End of Years-long Row in Region

The deal, which was first brought into light by both the United States and Kuwaiti officials, is set to put an end to the bitter rift among Gulf Cooperation Council that has, thus by far, shaken the forces in the region, the Independent reported.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah, who reportedly visited Doha earlier this week, made a televised statement that Riyadh had decided to reopen its airspace, land, and sea borders, to its smaller Gulf neighbor, Qatar, as of Monday (January 4).

According to the agreement, the four countries will put an end to the years-long blockade they have placed on Qatar, on suspicions of the latter’s involvement in terrorist activities in the region, and in return, Doha will not pursue lawsuits related to the blockade.

In line with this, a senior US official called the agreement a “major breakthrough in the GCC rift.”

The agreement was formally signed at the annual GCC summit held on Tuesday.

This development is the latest in a series of Middle East deals arranged by Washington aimed at bringing together its allies to build a united front against Iran. Most recently, the Western powerhouse involved Gulf and Arab countries recognizing Israel, Washington’s closest regional ally.