Why Saudi Arabia bans Muslims from 14 countries, including India, will they not be able to perform Umrah?

Saudi Arabia has put visa restrictions on 14 nations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. The restriction will remain effective from April 13 till mid-June. This measure has been adopted to facilitate easy conduct of Haj pilgrimage and curtail the number of illegal Haj pilgrims. The government of Saudi Arabia has put new travel restrictions. The restrictions have been put on 14 nations including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As per different reports in the media, this ban will be effective between April 13 to mid-June, i.e. these restrictions will be ongoing till the end of Haj pilgrimage. While the Hajj pilgrimage is being done in Saudi Arabia, more and more people from all across the globe come and those individuals who are not carrying a Hajj visa also arrive in Mecca Medina. Because of which there is an obstacle in the Ministry of Haj arrangements. Last year, over 1,000 people lost their lives because of the rise in numbers and too much heat during Hajj.

Which visas will be suspended?

As per media reports, Umrah visa, business visit visa and family visit visa have been cancelled as per the new rules. Saudi Arabia's ban on visa has dismayed citizens of countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who had hoped to visit Mecca and Medina during Haj with the assistance of these visas. 

The action was taken after the directive of the Saudi Crown Prince

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has directed the authorities to make sure strict regulation of visas so that the Hajj pilgrimage in the country is carried out smoothly and safely. Saudi Arabian authorities have asserted that the step will deter individuals from undertaking Hajj without registration. Authorities have accused people from other nations of traveling to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas or visit visas and remaining there illegally to undertake Hajj in the sacred Mecca.

Which nations are banned?

Visas of around 13 nations, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen, have been suspended by Saudi Arabia.