The 2024 Ramadan Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia faces uncertainty as thousands of intending pilgrims from Nigeria may miss out due to the suspension of Umrah visas issuance by Saudi authorities, reports from Daily Trust reveal. The decision has sparked anxiety and unrest among intending pilgrims, especially with Ramadan already in progress. It is feared that Hajj and Umrah operators may suffer significant financial losses due to pre-booked hotel accommodations in Makkah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Already, several flights scheduled to transport intending pilgrims for the Umrah pilgrimage have been canceled or rescheduled. For instance, a flight from Kano to Saudi Arabia, intended for over 300 intending Umrah pilgrims, failed to depart as planned due to visa acquisition challenges.The Ramadan period typically witnesses an influx of Umrah pilgrims from Nigeria and other countries, as Muslims aim to spend the last 10 days of the fasting month in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser hajj. However, this year's plans are under threat due to the Saudi authorities' decision not to issue visas to intending pilgrims, leading to widespread agitation among affected individuals. The slow issuance of visas is attributed to a new visa policy introduced by Saudi authorities, which stipulates a three-month validity period and a two-week duration of stay. Many intending pilgrims had obtained visas since Rajab (the 7th month in the Islamic calendar) but delayed their entry until Ramadan (the 9th month) due to the visa's validity period. This delay has resulted in financial losses for both pilgrims and travel agents, with some pilgrims resorting to paying exorbitant amounts to secure visas. Intending pilgrims express frustration and disappointment over the unforeseen obstacles hindering their pilgrimage plans. While discussions between stakeholders and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) are ongoing, there is uncertainty regarding the resolution of the visa issuance issue. The decision by Saudi authorities to suspend visa issuance is attributed to overcrowding concerns, as some pilgrims who previously obtained visas failed to leave the country. In light of these developments, NAHCON\'s intervention is sought to alleviate the plight of affected pilgrims and ensure a smooth Umrah pilgrimage process. However, the spokesperson of NAHCON, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, declined to comment when contacted by Daily Trust.