Saudi Arabia may permit women to perform Hajj without male guardian

The Saudi government is considering various visa options that would allow women to perform the holy ritual of Hajj without the presence of a male guardian, according to a report published by Riyadh-based news publication Arab News. 

Presently, women are now allowed to perform the Hajj without a male guardian, although there is an exception for women older than 45, who can perform the ritual in groups. Women must also travel with a male guardian during the Hajj, according to Saudi law. 

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The Arab publication last week reported that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Saudi government was considering the possibility of granting visit visas for tourism, as well as religious purposes, and women might be allowed to travel to the kingdom without male guardians. 

There are also other reform proposals that need the approval of the government, as Hajj and Umrah firms look to the Saudi government to address some of their concerns related to business problems. “We always seek people to interact with us," an official told Arab News.

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The official said there were about 750 Umrah and Hajj companies with licenses, but only about 500 of these were in the market and they were only running at 1 percent of their capacity. The Umrah sector is more profitable than the industrial sector, he added. 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Benten has approved updates to Umrah services following a meeting with the Saudi Committee for Hajj and Umrah to discuss updates to regulations and instructions for firms working in the holy cities.