Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed concern over the bus accident in Saudi Arabia. He said, “The bus carrying 42 Haj pilgrims going from Mecca to Medina caught fire. I have spoken to Abu Maithon George, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. He has assured that information about the entire matter is being collected. I have contacted two travel agencies of Hyderabad and shared the details of the passengers with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I appeal to the Central Government, especially the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, that the deceased Arrangements should be made to bring the bodies to India and those who are injured should be provided prompt and proper treatment.”

#WATCH Delhi , On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, “…Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were traveling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire…I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in… https://t.co/oiPCgAz4tZ pic.twitter.com/jTuf2kCZPf

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025

Saudi arabia on visa: Saudi Arabia has resumed a day after the conclusion of Haj 2025 i.e. today on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), to release Umrah Visa. Saudi Arabia officials had earlier said that more than 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 countries offered prayers in Mecca during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

The restoration of Umrah Visa has cleared the way for international pilgrims to return to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Haj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia had already confirmed the beginning of the new session of Umrah, which means that new batch of foreign pilgrims will come for the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia banned visas of 14 countries

In April, Saudi Arabia suspended the release of short -term visas for 14 countries to curb the unauthorized Haj pilgrims and control inbound travel. Which included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.

This temporary sanctions were imposed to avoid congestion during Haj 2025, which was a temporary suspension for citizens of these 14 countries on issuing Umrah, business and family travel visas. This rule is effective for the conclusion of Haj pilgrimage as well as till mid June 2025.

According to the official calendar of the Haj and Umrah Ministry, the issuance of visa will start from June 10. Umrah companies and international agents were directed to finalize their service agreements before May 27 as per the calendar issued earlier.

What is Umrah?

Umra is the pilgrimage of Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. This is almost like the Haj pilgrimage, there is a difference of time. However, different visas are required for both pilgrims.

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