The Egyptian government issued a "warning statement" to tourism companies today, Saturday, following the spread of advertisements promoting trips to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on social media. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities denied these advertisements, stating they are fake and untrue.
According to a statement from the media center of the Egyptian Cabinet, which was published on the page of the People's Assembly of Egypt: "Rumor: Advertisements about organizing Umrah programs for the upcoming Ramadan are circulating. Some social media pages have circulated advertisements regarding the organization of Umrah programs for the upcoming Ramadan month. The media center of the Cabinet contacted the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which denied this information, confirming that there is no truth to the circulating advertisements about organizing Umrah programs for the upcoming Ramadan. These advertisements are fake, and the ministry has no connection to them whatsoever.
The ministry clarified that no official communication has been received from the Saudi authorities regarding the opening of Umrah from Egypt, nor have the regulations for organizing Umrah during the current season been issued so far. If there is any official announcement regarding the opening, it will be made publicly by the ministry. They emphasized that all necessary legal measures will be taken against any tourism company found involved in promoting these advertisements, which could lead to the cancellation of their operating license. They warned citizens against falling for these advertisements that aim to exploit them and collect money from them.
In connection with this, external factors and final measures announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding organizing Umrah amid the COVID-19 pandemic will be taken into consideration. Finally, we urge all media outlets and social media users to exercise accuracy and objectivity in reporting news, and to communicate with relevant authorities to verify facts before spreading rumors that may stir public confusion. For any inquiries, please visit the official ministry website (antiquities.gov.eg). The ministry confirmed that "there is no truth to the advertisements circulating about organizing Umrah programs for the upcoming Ramadan, and these advertisements are fake, with no connection to the ministry whatsoever." The ministry stated that "no official communication has been received from the Saudi authorities confirming the opening of Umrah from Egypt" and noted that "no regulations for organizing Umrah during the current season have been issued so far. Should there be any official announcement regarding the opening, it will be made public by the ministry." They reiterated that "all necessary legal action will be taken against any tourism company found involved in promoting these advertisements, which may lead to the revocation of their operating license." They also warned citizens against being misled by these advertisements that aim to exploit them and collect money from them, while considering the final measures announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding organizing Umrah amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
