Starting on This Date.. Hajj and Umrah Trips by Land to Be Banned
The head of the Commission for the Welfare of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Judge Mohammed Al-Makkawi, issued a memorandum setting September 15, 2026, as the date on which the ban on Hajj and Umrah trips by land will take effect.
The memorandum explained that the decision implements two previous decisions issued by the Prime Minister, restricting Umrah travel to air transportation. The measures followed a rise in accidents that resulted in the deaths of innocent people and injuries to several others, as well as attempts by trip organizers to evade responsibility toward the victims.
It added that a grace period had been granted before the land travel ban takes effect to accommodate trips linked to prior bookings.
The memorandum instructed the security agencies to acknowledge its contents and act accordingly.