Fifty-four tour operators organizing trips for Umrah in 19 Arab and Islamic countries have been blacklisted due to violations, according to a report by Al Watan newspaper.

This move is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to combat illegal brokerage in fraudulent Umrah journeys, following the detection of violating travel agencies during last month’s Hajj pilgrimage. These illegal operations have led to significant safety concerns, with hundreds of unregistered pilgrims dying primarily due to extreme heat.

Several pilgrimage companies in Saudi Arabia are coordinating with security agencies to expose both domestic and international Umrah brokers. These brokers are suspected of human trafficking, accused of bringing in unregistered pilgrims who cannot afford the legal costs of Umrah on visit visas.

There has been no official Saudi comment on the report. However, Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdul Fatah Mashat recently met with representatives of Umrah firms to discuss preparations for the new Umrah season, which began last month following the annual Hajj pilgrimage performed by 1.8 million Muslims.

During the last season, approximately 8.3 million Umrah visas were issued. The Umrah pilgrimage is undertaken year-round at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site in Mecca.

Last month, Saudi Arabia reported that 1,301 pilgrims, 83% of whom were illegal, passed away during the recent Hajj due to trekking long distances under extreme heat. Authorities have reiterated the necessity of obtaining a Hajj visa to perform the pilgrimage, especially amid extreme weather conditions, and have cracked down on fake tours. They also emphasized that a visit visa does not qualify its holder to perform Hajj, barring such individuals from entering Mecca and nearby sites where the pilgrimage rites take place.