File Photo: Muslim pilgrims gather at the top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AFP
In recent days, several news articles circulated, alleging that overland Hajj programs have been cancelled due to upcoming regulations for Egyptian tourist pilgrimages set to be announced soon.
The ETF denied any association with such remarks, asserting that neither the federation nor any of its board members has released any official statements concerning this matter.
The individual referenced in these reports “is not authorised to speak on the federation’s behalf or to issue press statements on any topic pertaining to the tourism industry,” the statement read.
The federation said it has initiated an investigation into the matter, according to the statement.
The ETF, an industry advocate, also confirmed that no such decisions have been made or announced regarding the cancellation of overland Hajj programs.
“Upon consulting the relevant chamber, it was confirmed that the regulations governing the Hajj are still under discussion and have not yet reached their final form,” the press release read.
The statement further noted that the Federation contacted the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETTA) to verify the information, and officials confirmed that no decisions have yet been issued regarding land pilgrimage.
“The regulatory framework is still under preparation,” the federation added, explaining that the ETTA’s Religious Tourism Committee is currently holding discussions with pilgrimage-operating travel companies to define the key elements of the upcoming Hajj regulations.
Ongoing talks are also taking place within the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah to finalise the regulations before presenting them to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, a total of 7,500 pilgrims travelled overland, constituting 18 percent of Egypt’s tourist Hajj quota of 40,672.
Hajj, one of Islam’s Five Pillars, is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime for all able and financially capable Muslims, though many undertake it more than once.
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