Riyadh, Apr 23: Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest shrines, has stopped issuing 'umrah', or minor pilgrimage, visas to Muslims in the Far East because of fears over Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an official today said. Saudi missions in China, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines have been instructed to stop issuing 'umrah' visas indefinitely, undersecretary of the Hajj (pilgrimage) ministry, Mohammad Bentin told a newspaper.

Muslims all over the world are granted these visas from Saudi embassies throughout the year, except for the duration of the Hajj, which is the main Muslim pilgrimage.

The kingdom earlier this month barred entry to nationals of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam as a precautionary measure against SARS.

Travellers arriving from East and South Asian countries would be subjected to stringent screening at the airports and kept under observation for 10 days, the ministry added.

Saudis have been advised against traveling to several Asian countries due to the outbreak of the atypical pneumonia that has claimed more than 234 lives worldwide.

All Muslims are required to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.

Bureau Report