Saudi Arabia welcomed the first batch of overseas pilgrims to mark the beginning of the Umrah season in the new Islamic year.
Umrah companies and institutions have begun to issue visas for pilgrims, which will be for a period of three months (90 days) for the first time, within the new regulations of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The visa will allow the pilgrim to move around and travel to all regions and governorates of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement marking the start of the season, The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques said, “In conjunction with the arrival of pilgrims from abroad to the Grand Mosque, the presidency continues to implement field services according to standards that take into account the latest developments in service excellence to create a safe worshipping environment and provide the finest services to the pilgrims of the Grand Mosque from all over the world.”
As part of the preparations to provide services during Umrah the authority has emphasized on crowd management plans, and prepared the Grand Mosque in Makkah and its courtyards to facilitate the Umrah rituals for pilgrims with ease and tranquillity, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Subsequently, the authority has also planned to facilitate the return of overseas pilgrims at the end of the Umrah season entrances had been allocated to pilgrims to ensure the smooth movement of crowds.
