Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah concluded his official visit to the United Arab Emirates during which he discussed with the UAE authorities about a number of major topics, including exploring the prospect of expanding Tasheer Saudi visa centers in the emirate.
The minister’s discussion also included enabling expatriates of the UAE to register their fingerprints before traveling to Saudi Arabia so as to reduce the waiting period for pilgrims at the land and air ports. Both sides also discussed raising the quality of services at the ports for those arriving by land, and speeding up and shortening entry procedures.
Dr. Al-Rabiah also met with officials and authorities related to providing Umrah services and discussed aspects of cooperation that ensures facilitating the arrival of pilgrims, and to improve and develop the services of the Tasheer visa centers and the Nusuk platform, and to improve the visa facilities for expatriates from the UAE so as to enable them to have the best Umrah experiences.
During his meeting with the Executive Director of Islamic Affairs at the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) Omar Habtoor Al-Darei, the minister welcomed the UAE pilgrims entering the Kingdom through various ports throughout the year. Al-Rabiah stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to increase the number of UAE pilgrims, and to provide the opportunity to the largest number of citizens and expatriates who reach the Two Holy Mosques to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.
During the visit, the minister opened the Nusuk platform exhibition in the presence and participation of representatives of the private sector in the UAE, with the aim of introducing the platform’s role in raising its efficiency and its services as a comprehensive platform for visiting the Kingdom, as well as its Islamic historical sites, and other destinations.
Two workshops titled “Crowd management and grouping of pilgrims,” and “the Rights of pilgrims,” were also held on the occasion.
