KRG halts flights to Saudi Arabia as Umrah pilgrims remain stranded
Kurdistan Region's forests nearly halved by fires over 60 years: Official
Erbil court hands Duhok journalist new prison sentence
Plastic waste accounts for over a quarter of the Kurdistan Region's trash, experts warn
Halabja declares two days of mourning after wildfires claim two lives
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in the Kurdistan Region halted all flights to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after hundreds of pilgrims visiting for the Umrah pilgrimage were left stranded due to irregular Iraqi Airways schedules.
The Kurdistan Region's General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah said many pilgrims have been forced to either remain in Saudi Arabia or return by bus due to irregular Iraqi Airways schedules, warning that no company facilitating the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage is permitted to arrange air travel until further notice.
In a statement, it warned 'all Hajj and Umrah companies in all governorates and independent administrations not to arrange any Umrah trips by air until the General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah gives them permission.'
The directorate also called on Iraqi Airways to expedite the return of Kurdish pilgrims or face legal accountability, stressing that flights from Erbil and Sulaimani airports will remain halted until all stranded passengers are brought back and assurances are given for timely returns.
'We also warn Iraqi Airways officials that they must make efforts to return Kurdistan's Umrah pilgrims from Saudi Arabia as soon as possible, otherwise they will face legal accountability,' the statement continued, adding that the Iraqi Airways flights have been few and irregular.
Karwan Stuni, spokesperson of the General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah, told Rudaw on Tuesday that around 1,000 pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia.
This year, 1,646 people from the Kurdistan Region traveled to Saudi Arabia by land and 3,490 people by air, according to Stuni.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage holds deep religious significance as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey.
Hajj, which occurs from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, falling in early June in 2025, requires pilgrims to arrive in advance to prepare for the physically and spiritually demanding rituals in Mecca.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Rudaw Net
KRG halts flights to Saudi Arabia as Umrah pilgrims remain stranded
Also in Kurdistan Kurdistan Region's forests nearly halved by fires over 60 years: Official Erbil court hands Duhok journalist new prison sentence Plastic waste accounts for over a quarter of the Kurdistan Region's trash, experts warn Halabja declares two days of mourning after wildfires claim two lives A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in the Kurdistan Region halted all flights to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after hundreds of pilgrims visiting for the Umrah pilgrimage were left stranded due to irregular Iraqi Airways schedules. The Kurdistan Region's General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah said many pilgrims have been forced to either remain in Saudi Arabia or return by bus due to irregular Iraqi Airways schedules, warning that no company facilitating the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage is permitted to arrange air travel until further notice. In a statement, it warned 'all Hajj and Umrah companies in all governorates and independent administrations not to arrange any Umrah trips by air until the General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah gives them permission.' The directorate also called on Iraqi Airways to expedite the return of Kurdish pilgrims or face legal accountability, stressing that flights from Erbil and Sulaimani airports will remain halted until all stranded passengers are brought back and assurances are given for timely returns. 'We also warn Iraqi Airways officials that they must make efforts to return Kurdistan's Umrah pilgrims from Saudi Arabia as soon as possible, otherwise they will face legal accountability,' the statement continued, adding that the Iraqi Airways flights have been few and irregular. Karwan Stuni, spokesperson of the General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah, told Rudaw on Tuesday that around 1,000 pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia. This year, 1,646 people from the Kurdistan Region traveled to Saudi Arabia by land and 3,490 people by air, according to Stuni. The annual Hajj pilgrimage holds deep religious significance as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey. Hajj, which occurs from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, falling in early June in 2025, requires pilgrims to arrive in advance to prepare for the physically and spiritually demanding rituals in Mecca.
Rudaw Net
10-08-2025
- Rudaw Net
Chlorine leak sickens hundreds amid Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq
Also in Iraq Kurdish MP slams Baghdad for hypocrisy toward Erbil Two Kurds arrested in Kirkuk for flying US flags to stand trial Iraq reports nearly three million visitors for Arbaeen pilgrimage Sudani dismisses 2 PMF commanders linked to attack on ministry A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Over 620 cases of suffocation have been reported following a chlorine gas leak in Iraq's southern Karbala province, the Iraqi health ministry announced on Sunday. The incident occurred amid the ongoing Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. In an official statement, the health ministry confirmed it had 'recorded 621 suffocation cases in a chlorine gas leakage incident,' adding that 'all patients received necessary treatment and were discharged in good health.' Iraqi interior ministry Spokesperson Miqdad Miri stated that 'the leak originated from one of the water directorates along the Najaf-Karbala road,' which is currently hosting millions of pilgrims taking part in the 80-kilometer Arbaeen march between the two holy Shiite cities. 'Civil defense and emergency ambulance teams' responded swiftly to contain the situation and assist affected individuals,' Miri said. Meanwhile, Karbala Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi visited a local hospital treating the victims and confirmed, 'Most cases have left the hospital after receiving the necessary treatment.' The gas leak comes as millions of religious pilgrims journey to Iraq for Arbaeen, a symbolic walk commemorating the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the year 680 CE. The pilgrimage is set to culminate on August 15, when crowds are expected to peak in his shrine city of Karbala. Adnan al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority, said on Sunday that nearly three million foreign pilgrims have already entered the country to participate in the pilgrimage, while the total number of pilgrims is typically announced later on the day of Arbaeen.
Rudaw Net
27-07-2025
- Rudaw Net
Assyrian Christians trek to ancient church in Duhok
Also in Kurdistan Erbil university offers scholarship for international students Dutch photojournalist recording Kurdish history re-visits Kurdistan Halabja tomato farmers face mounting losses as prices fall TNT blast kills shepherd in Duhok A+ A- DUHOK, Kurdistan Region - Assyrian Christians in Duhok province trekked around 1,500 meters up a remote mountain on Saturday to pray with joyous spirits at the Mar Qayum Church, one of the oldest in the area. The church, located near the Assyrian village of Dooreh in the region of Barwari Bala, is built in front of a rock and a dam and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Last renovated in 1999, the story of the church's building remains unknown, but historians say it is at least 1,400 years old. Scores of Assyrian Christians from the Kurdistan Region and countries such as the United States, Canada, and several European countries flocked to partake in the journey. 'Our main goal is to connect the new generation with this place and how to allow them to see our places and villages. That's why we greatly value that all communities come here and see our village,' Nina Kako, a participant, told Rudaw. The participants said that while the challenging hike and scorching weather made their journey difficult, it was ultimately worthwhile despite the odds. 'The path was really challenging. We came all the way and didn't feel it. Although the road is very difficult with slopes and the weather is very hot, the main goal was to arrive, and we arrived,' said Lina Nissan. A 75-year-old Assyrian from Canada was among the visitors. Despite her old age, she stressed that her fervent faith made her forget the fatigue. 'I don't feel any fatigue. To go to any mountain, any important place, being able to visit such ancient churches that are thousands of years old, is proudly a sign of our civilization,' said Piobi Yaqo. The church consists of two floors, and the ascent to the second floor requires effort and guidance, for it would appear from the shape of the church that those who built it and lived in it constantly thought of danger. There is no vehicular access to the church, and a steep trek remains the only means of access.
