Coast Hajj Agents in Kenya are urging Saudi Arabia to reconsider their decision to not grant Hajj visas to holders of foreign passports with valid documentation. Over 500 people in Kenya will be affected by this decision. In previous years, holders of foreign passports were allowed to travel to Mecca through Kenya.
The agents received notification from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem), which informed them that holders of foreign passports residing in Kenya would not be issued visas for Hajj this year. The agents have already incurred expenses for air tickets, accommodation, and other expenses related to the pilgrimage. The sudden change in visa policy has caused frustration among agents with fears of loss of tourism business and inconvenience to pilgrims.
The agents are appealing to both the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kenya to reconsider and allow the issuance of visas to holders of foreign passports. The pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah is the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith, and millions of Muslims travel across the world to perform the religious obligation. The Hajj is scheduled to start from June 25 and run until June 30.
Abdulrahman, a Hajj agent in Mombasa, urges pilgrims who have already booked their pilgrimage with various agents to pray for divine intervention from authorities to reverse their decision. The appeal is made on behalf of the pilgrims who have entrusted the agents in Kenya to take them to the holy city of Makkah to perform their religious obligation.
