Continuing the liberalization of policies aimed at granting women more freedom, and opening up the country to attract more global travelers, Saudi Arabia is to stop the practice of insisting on women pilgrims to the kingdom being accompanied by a male guardian.
Currently, women traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or Umrah have to be accompanied by a male guardian (mahram). Women over the age of 45 can still travel without a mahram provided they were part of a tour group and have a notarised letter of no objection from someone who could be considered their mahram.
In addition to pilgrims, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is also understood to be studying the prospects of issuing visit visas to unaccompanied women.The change and relaxation in rules for women pilgrims and tourists are expected to boost the business of travel companies, especially Umrah firms, which have often raised concerns about the impact of regulations on their business and urged the authorities to intervene.
The kingdom’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Benten has reportedly approved updates to Umrah services following a meeting with the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah. The updates include giving pilgrims greater flexibility on transport options, which can be accessed on a ministry portal called ‘Maqam’ that allows Muslims around the world to apply for an Umrah package digitally. Almost 1.1 million people used Maqam in its trial phase last year, allowing them to choose between over 30 companies providing travel, accommodation and other necessities for trips to Makkah and Madinah.
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