Iraqi citizens are surprised by the refusal of government banks to sell dollars to pilgrims
Iraqi citizens are surprised by the refusal of government banks to sell dollars to pilgrims
2024-07-01 04:39
Shafaq News/ Iraqi citizens intending to go to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah rituals expressed their surprise at the government banks’ refusal to sell them dollars, unlike what happens with travelers.
These citizens called on the Finance Committee in Parliament and the Hajj and Umrah Authority to intervene immediately to solve this problem.
An informed source told Shafaq News Agency correspondent that there are pressing popular demands by citizens to the Finance Committee in Parliament and the Hajj and Umrah Authority, with the aim of allowing government banks to disburse dollars to travelers wishing to perform Umrah to Saudi Arabia.
The source pointed out that these demands are based on previous experience, where the Hajj Authority provided dollars to pilgrims through government banks.
The source stated that most pilgrims face great difficulties in obtaining dollars from government banks, which forces them to go to the black market to buy hard currency, due to the Central Bank’s policy of limiting itself to providing money transfer companies with dollars without allowing government banks to engage in this activity.
At the conclusion of his speech, the source stressed the need for the concerned authorities to respond to these demands to ensure that travelers are able to obtain dollars from government banks instead of relying on parallel markets that impose high prices.
For his part, the owner of a travel and Umrah company stated that the Central Bank of Iraq had directed banks to stop selling dollars to Umrah pilgrims since last February.
The Iraqi traveler to countries specified by the Central Bank is given an amount of $3,000, and in the case of treatment, he and the accompanying person are given $6,000 at the official rate, with the exception of Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.
shafaq.com
