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This year's Hajj pilgrimage is set to be smoother for over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims thanks to the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative. This initiative, launched in 2019, allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure airport in Pakistan, eliminating the need for lengthy checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. Previously, only Islamabad benefitted from the initiative. However, Pakistani officials successfully lobbied for its expansion to Karachi, the country's most populous city. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce wait times and simplify the entry process for a larger number of pilgrims. The breakdown of pilgrims utilizing the initiative is interesting. 41,000 pilgrims will participate under the government's Hajj scheme, while the remaining 24,000 will utilize private tour operators. Islamabad and Karachi airports will see a nearly equal distribution of pilgrims using the initiative, with 29,500 and 35,500 respectively. This positive development comes alongside Saudi Arabia restoring Pakistan's pre-pandemic Hajj quota and abolishing the upper age limit. With Pakistan's Hajj operations commencing in May and the pilgrimage itself happening in June, over 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to participate this year. #hajj #pilgrims #Makkah

Over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims are poised to experience a smoother Hajj pilgrimage this year, thanks to the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative. Launched in 2019, this initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure airport in Pakistan, eliminating the need for lengthy checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. While initially only benefiting Islamabad, Pakistani officials successfully advocated for the expansion of the initiative to Karachi, the country's most populous city. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce wait times and simplify the entry process for a larger number of pilgrims. Of the pilgrims using the initiative, 41,000 will participate under the government's Hajj scheme, with the remaining 24,000 utilizing private tour operators. The distribution of pilgrims using the initiative at Islamabad and Karachi airports will be nearly equal, with 29,500 and 35,500 pilgrims, respectively. This development coincides with Saudi Arabia restoring Pakistan's pre-pandemic Hajj quota and abolishing the upper age limit. With Pakistan's Hajj operations commencing in May and the pilgrimage itself occurring in June, over 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to participate this year. #hajj #pilgrims #Makkah #follower #followers #followerseveryone

The Hajis (Muslim pilgrims) from India face numerous problems and inconveniences during their travels to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage each year. This occurs despite them paying market rates without any government subsidy for travel, accommodation, and other expenses. A high-level investigation by India's premier investigative agencies, the CBI and ED, is warranted into the Consul General, Vice Consuls, CEO of the Hajj Committee of India, and the selection committee. These officials should be asked to explain why inferior pilgrim services were approved at unreasonably high rates. It appears that large-scale corruption occurs every year in the Hajj pilgrimage process. Urgent action is required to address these systemic issues and ensure a smooth, affordable, and hassle-free experience for the Hajis.

The Makkah Route Initiative, initially launched in 2019 and previously available only at Islamabad airport, will now also be accessible from Karachi airport. This expansion will benefit over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, significantly streamlining their entry process into Saudi Arabia by allowing them to complete immigration procedures before departure. This year, 41,000 of these pilgrims are participating through the government's Hajj scheme, while 24,000 are using private tour operators. Saudi Arabia has also restored Pakistan’s full pre-pandemic Hajj quota and removed the upper age limit for pilgrims. Additionally, Pakistan is reducing Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 from last year and offering shorter pilgrimage options for an extra fee. Preparations for Hajj 2024 have begun earlier to secure better accommodations for pilgrims in key holy cities, and operations will run from May 9 to June 9 across eight airports in the country. #MakkahRouteInitiative #Hajj2024 #PakistanPilgrims #KarachiAirport #IslamabadAirport #SaudiArabia #HajjPreparation #Pilgrimage #HajjSavings #ReligiousTravel #HajjQuota #PakistaniPilgrims

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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has recently announced a revision to the expiration date for Umrah visas issued to foreign pilgrims. The revised deadline is now Dhul Qadah 15, two weeks earlier than the previous Dhul Qadah 29 cutoff. Consequently, foreign pilgrims are required to depart Saudi Arabia by Dhul Qadah 15. This adjustment is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the management of pilgrims journeying to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, particularly with the approaching Hajj season. In addition to the visa expiration date change, the Ministry clarified the validity period of the three-month Umrah visa, which now commences from the date of issuance instead of the previous policy, which began from the date of entry into the country. The Ministry addressed several inquiries received through the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish the new expiration date. Dhul Qadah 15 was selected strategically to facilitate the orderly management of pilgrim traffic and support the smooth organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. By implementing these adjustments, the Ministry aims to optimize the flow of individuals in and out of the country, ensuring a better experience for all pilgrims and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of the pilgrimage process. #تحديث_تأشيرة_العمرة #استعدادات_الحج #إدارة_الحجاج #سياسة_العمرة_ا #UmrahVisaUpdate #HajjPreparation #PilgrimManagement #SaudiUmrahPolicy #DhulQadah15Deadline #TourVisionTravel #newsupdate24 #SmoothPilgrimage #VisaValidityChange #MinistryEfforts #PilgrimSafety #HajjSeason

#oman #travel #proverbs #facts #famous 123/195 TOUR MY WORLD - OMAN The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said overthrew his father, and ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq Al Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day. Findings of Amer

2024 ranking of top 20 most respected entities in Sri Lanka.

More than 1.8 million people attended Hajj in 2023, approaching pre-pandemic levels. According to Saudi officials, they expect the figure to exceed the two million mark in 2024. Each year, Saudi Arabia issues a set number of Hajj pilgrim visas. Quotas are calculated for Muslim-majority countries at a rate of one pilgrim visa per 1,000 Muslim citizens. These are intended to not only control the numbers of people visiting Mecca (a necessity given the ritual has seen mass crushes in past years), but also to level the playing field in terms of distribution for those who wish to visit. https://lnkd.in/eWZwjxs6

To appreciate being in the UAE, you must see and know this. For the third consecutive year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is poised to take first place as the world's leading wealth magnet. According to Henley and Partners' annual Private Wealth Migration Report 2024, more than 6,700 wealthy migrants are set to make the UAE their home by the end of 2024.