What's behind Egyptian campaign to delay Saudi pilgrimages?
Recent calls in Egypt to postpone by one year the umrah pilgrimage for those who have already made the trip has raised controversy and is viewed by some as a means of leverage against Saudi Arabia.
On Oct. 12, Youm 7 daily launched a campaign in Egypt to delay performing the umrah for one year for pilgrims who have already performed the religious visit. This would allegedly secure more than $6 billion for Egypt at a time when crucial economic measures need to be taken. The campaign has caused much controversy in the Egyptian street.
Some believe that the Egyptian state is trying to use the campaign as leverage against Saudi Arabia in light of the tension between the two countries over the Syrian crisis.
Tourism companies believe that the campaign came in response to Saudi Arabia’s Aug. 8 decision to increase the price of the pilgrimage single entry visa to 2,000 Saudi riyals ($533), even for pilgrims who are traveling for the second time to perform the umrah, which would cause the tourism companies major losses.
On Oct. 14, Egypt’s Federation of Tourism Chambers stressed that postponing the umrah for one year would secure $6 billion a year for the country and has nothing to do with the relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Federation warned that any tourism company that did not abide by the decision would be suspended.
