Following the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) travel advisory last night, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has advised Umrah pilgrims to defer plans to travel to Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued on early on Wednesday, MUIS sought the community’s understanding in taking the necessary safety precautions and consider postponing their journey while the security risk remains heightened.
“We understand how much an Umrah journey means to our pilgrims and their families. For many, it is a deeply personal journey of faith, one they have looked forward to, saved for and prepared for some time,” said MUIS.
Since last week, airports in Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jizan have been hit, while Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) has been attacked repeatedly, resulting in the suspension of airport operations, flight diversions, and increasingly frequent airspace shutdowns.
More recently, on late Tuesday, an administrative building belonging to Saudi Arabia’s state-owned company Saudi Aramco in the eastern city of Dhahran was attacked, causing a limited fire.
MUIS said it is now engaging umrah travel agents to encourage them to assist pilgrims with clear information and, where possible, flexible arrangements for postponement or rescheduling.
It also urged operators to handle cases with care, fairness and understanding, noting that pilgrims may face financial implications through no fault of their own.
Meanwhile, those already in Saudi Arabia should follow the advice of local authorities and MFA. They are also advised to stay in touch with their travel operators and airlines, and to eRegister with the ministry to facilitate timely consular assistance.
MUIS said it will continue to monitor developments closely and coordinate with the relevant government agencies to provide updates where necessary.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding, and encourage pilgrims and their families to remain guided by official advisories as the situation evolves,” it added. ASIAONE
