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       KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: According to well-informed sources within the Ministry of Social Affairs, the ministry is actively exploring the possibility of revising the current regulations governing Umrah trips organized by cooperative societies. At present, the existing decision mandates a 50- 50 split in the cost of these trips, with half of the expense being borne by the shareholder and the remaining half covered by the cooperative society.

       The sources revealed that significant changes are on the horizon following a series of meetings between officials from the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies (UCCS) and ministry representatives. The proposed revision suggests a substantial adjustment to the cost-sharing arrangement, whereby the cooperative society would cover 70 percent of the trip’s total cost, while the shareholder would be responsible for the remaining 30 percent.

       Further discussions have introduced several alternative proposals for consideration, including one in which the cooperative society would bear as much as 80 percent of the trip’s cost, leaving only 20 percent for the shareholder. However, this particular option has not garnered widespread support. Currently, cooperative societies are awaiting the finalization of the revised decision before moving forward with the necessary arrangements for organizing Umrah trips. These trips are expected to be presented to shareholders soon, pending the official confirmation of the new cost-sharing structure.

       By Fares Al-Abdan

       Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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