Over 2 Million Umrah Visas Issued in 3 Months: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Thursday revealed that more than two million visas have been issued to those wishing to perform Umrah, across 176 countries around the world, since the beginning of the Umrah season that started on Muharram 1, 1444 (July 30, 2022).
Member of the National Committee for Haj, Umrah and Visitation, Hani Al-Omairi, said that there are about 150 Umrah companies and institutions that provide services to the pilgrims from their arrival until their departure to their countries after performing the Umrah and visiting rituals with ease.
Hani Al-Omairi stated that the countries most coming to perform Umrah are— Indonesia, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Azerbaijan.
He pointed out that the coming period will witness an increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims coming from different countries of the world.
This is while the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that the number of pilgrims and worshipers visiting the Grand Mosque reached more than 30 million, during the first quarter of the current year 1444 AH.
It also revealed that the number of those who were honored to pray and visit the Prophet’s Mosque during the first quarter of this year amounted to more than 40 million.
In early October, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the extension of the Umrah visa to three months for pilgrims from all over the world.
Back in late September, Haj and Umrah ministries launched the unified electronic platform Nusuk to be the new Saudi gateway to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
The Kingdom expects more than 10 million Muslim pilgrims to attend the new season of Umrah or lesser pilgrimage, a forecast reminiscent of pre-pandemic numbers.
Source: Siasat Daily
