‘No bus allowed to leave for Hajj, umra without permit’

AMMAN — Head of the Hajj and umra committee Majdy Btoush on Wednesday said that no bus will be allowed to leave the country before obtaining the necessary departure permits. 

The permits should be signed by the Hajj and umra committee (HUC), the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC), and the Driver and Vehicle Licence Department (DVLD), in addition to a mandatory check on all buses, he told the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Hajj is the greater Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca while umra is the lesser pilgrimage    to Mecca. 

Btoush said that a meeting between directors general of the HUC, LTRC, DVLD, and the manager of Maan Development Company, took place recently in the HUC headquarters.

It was held to ensure the implementation of the ministerial committees’ decision announced last Thursday that determined Wahet Maan Square as the station to check all umra buses, and make sure they are safe and in accordance with the latest conditions and instructions, he said.    

This decision was taken after six people died and 36 were injured on June 26, when a bus carrying 50 pilgrims returning from Mecca overturned in Tafileh, some 180km southwest of Amman. 

Awqaf Minister Wael Arabiyat cancelled the accreditation of the Hajj and umra company which arranged the trip, after initial investigation by the ministry’s pilgrimage directorate suggested that the company allegedly committed several violations.

Btoush said that the checking responsibilities will be divided between the concerned authorities, with the DVLD handling technical tests on buses while the LTRC will issue legal departure permits. 

The HUC will monitor Hajj and umra companies regarding pilgrims’ accommodation and identification badges, he added. 

Officials at the meeting agreed to visit the square early next week to check on the readiness level of its infrastructure and decide whether it can properly receive buses.