KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians who had registered to perform the umrah before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into force on March 18 may be able to visit the Holy Land as early as January.
Association of Umrah and Haj Travel Agents (Papuh) chairman Datuk Seri Razali Mohd Sham said prior to the MCO, some 50,000 people had registered to perform the umrah, which is a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Based on the input from Papuh members, Razali told Berita Harian, the figures remained unchanged.
He also did not discount the possibility that not all who had registered to perform the umrah would be able to perform the pilgrimage as it was learned that the Saudi Arabian government would only allow Muslims aged between 18 and 60 to visit the Holy Land following extensive health precautions taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"About 30 to 40 per cent of people who have registered to perform the umrah are those 60 years old and above.
"Apart from that, many accompanying 'mutawif' (religious guides) and head of groups are also those belonging to the same age group. Hence, one has to ask who will accompany and guide Malaysian umrah pilgrims when they are allowed to visit the holy land?
"The association is looking into these issues," he said.
Razali also said based on his discussion with Saudi Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Mahmoud Hussein Saeed Qattan on Monday, there was yet to be an official statement from the Saudi government related to the new conditions for pilgrims from abroad.
"We just have to wait since it (the official statement from Saudi Arabian government on the new requirement) will only be published by the official media over there," he said.
In a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency on Sept 22, the Saudi Interior Ministry said it would gradually resume the year-round umrah pilgrimage in three stages from Oct 4.
In the initial stage, only 6,000 citizens and residents within the kingdom were allowed to perform the umrah per day.
It was reported the umrah pilgrimage would be open to as many as 250,000 pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia beginning Oct 18 under the second phase of the resumption of the pilgrimage.
Foreign pilgrims will only be allowed to come to Makkah and Madinah from Nov 1 and the relevant authorities are expected to announce which countries would be allowed to send pilgrims to perform the minor haj soon.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al Bakri was quoted as saying Malaysia would get official information and convene a discussion with the Saudi Arabian government on the matter.
Razali also estimated pilgrims might have to fork out at least RM3,000 for additional expenses including for a 14-day quarantine and Covid-19 swab test upon their return to Malaysia.
The association, he said, was in discussion with the Health Ministry on the standard operating procedures for umrah pilgrims.
"We are also discussing a proposal to conduct the check-in procedures for umrah pilgrims at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Mosque with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd," he said.