Suspension of umrah travel prioritises public interest, says minister

A file picture of Muslims perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with social distancing in place on Feb 26,2021. - Reuters

SEGAMAT: The decision to temporarily suspend umrah trips has been a difficult one to make but it was done in the public interest following the threat of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, says Senator Idris Ahmad.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said there was no discrimination against Muslims as alleged by some parties.