MUIS Advises Singaporeans to Postpone Umrah Amid Deadly Attacks in Saudi Arabia

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has advised Singaporeans to postpone their umrah pilgrimage amid growing security concerns in Saudi Arabia, following a series of deadly missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom's airports.

The advisory follows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) call on Oct 13 for Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia.

MUIS is working with umrah travel agents to assist pilgrims with postponements and rescheduling, while urging operators to handle potential financial losses fairly.

The warning comes after attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Oct 10 and 11, reportedly claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The attacks left at least 18 people dead and more than 300 injured, disrupting flights and airport operations.

Other airports, including those in Abha, Dammam and Jizan, have also been affected by attacks in recent months.

The latest advisory marks a shift from MFA's position in April, when the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, along with Jeddah, were exempted from its recommendation to defer travel.

The warning now covers the entire kingdom.

Singaporeans already in Saudi Arabia are advised to avoid high-risk areas, minimise unnecessary travel and monitor official updates.

Malaysia has similarly urged its citizens to postpone umrah trips, while Indonesia has called for greater vigilance among pilgrims.