The Ministry of Haj has given warning notices to 51 Umrah companies for their failure to fully implement the rules set by the ministry for the departure of Umrah pilgrims. The ministry asked these companies to secure flights for these pilgrims to prevent crowding at departure lounges. It has set up two checkpoints on Makkah-Jeddah Expressway to monitor whether Umrah companies were following the departure schedules of pilgrims. The National Committee for Haj and Umrah has formed a panel to submit a report to the ministries of Haj and Interior and the Higher Haj Panel on the shortcomings noticed in the performance of Umrah companies and suggestions to overcome these shortcomings. Saad Jameel Al-Qurashi, Chairman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah at Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Emir of Makkah has ordered the formation of a committee to oversee the departure of Umrah pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims from various countries were stuck at northern and southern terminals of the Jeddah airport for days. __
