Mecca: The Ministry of Haj and Umrah is considering the cancellation of the condition of Mahram (male guardian) for women of all age groups as a prerequisite for granting them Umrah visa.
Marwan Shaaban, chairman of the Haj and Umrah committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said this was agreed upon during a meeting he held with Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten.
Deputy Minister Abdul Fattah Mashshat, investors in the Haj and Umrah sectors, hoteliers and many other officials attended the meeting, which discussed the difficulties facing the sector and the future of Umrah visas vis-a-vis the electronic tourist visas.
Shaaban said during the meeting the minister agreed to study the cancellation of the condition of Mahram for women of all ages in order to issue them with Umrah visas, according to Saudi Gazette.