The Cabinet rejected today a suggestion put forth by Minister of Awqaf, Wael Arabeyat, to establish a government-backed private travel agency responsible for Hajj and Umra pilgrimage trips.

The Government claimed it refused the suggestion, because it did not want to compete with the private sector, and that it wanted to organise and monitor the trips.

A source said that the rejection came from the Ministries of Interior and Tourism.

The Awqaf Ministry requested a tax exemption for buying buses for the suggested travel agency, but the Cabinet did not approve.