Afghan Justice Minister Warns of Negative Impact of Umrah Travel Issues on Saudi Relations
The Taliban’s Justice Minister has warned that disorder and problems regarding the Umrah pilgrimage could negatively affect Afghanistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and lead to restrictions for Afghan pilgrims.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Justice, the meeting was held on Monday with the presence of Sheikh-ul-Hadith Mawlawi Abdul Hakim Sharaee, the Justice Minister, and several officials from various departments. Representatives from the Ministries of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Information and Culture, the General Intelligence Directorate, Kabul International Airport Authority, and the Union of Umrah Companies attended the session.
During the meeting, challenges related to pilgrims traveling for Umrah in Saudi Arabia were discussed. Key topics included preventing drug trafficking, reducing travel expenses, addressing the issue of some individuals failing to return and attempting to travel to other countries via Saudi Arabia.
The Justice Minister emphasized that Saudi Arabia, as the center of the Islamic world, holds a sensitive position, and Afghan pilgrims must be properly represented in that country. He added that the continuation of these problems could lead to increased restrictions on Afghan pilgrims, which has raised concerns among families and companies involved in this sector.
He also stressed the importance of preserving the ‘dignity of the regime’ and urged the responsible agencies and the Union of Umrah Companies to take practical actions to resolve these issues promptly. In recent years, citizens have repeatedly criticized the lack of transparency, weak management, and insufficient coordination among related institutions.
According to the Ministry of Justice, by the end of the meeting, it was decided to establish a committee headed by the Deputy Minister of Tourism from the Ministry of Information and Culture, including representatives from other agencies, to examine the existing challenges in the Umrah sector and propose solutions.
