A thousand Muslims from around the world will soon be heading to Saudi Arabia for Umrah under a special programme personally funded by King Salman. The initiative, which has been running for years in different forms, allows selected guests to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites without carrying the financial burden that often comes with the journey. HH Salman has approved the plan and the latest round will welcome 1,000 men and women pilgrims through the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme for Hajj, Umrah and visits.
King Salman Approves Special Umrah Programme To Host 1,000 Pilgrims
The programme will be organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.
The first group will include 250 pilgrims arriving from 16 countries across Asia. They come from places stretching from Southeast Asia to East Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China and Mongolia. There are also pilgrims from countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Myanmar. For many of them, this may be a journey they have hoped to make for years. Also included are visitors from Singapore, Laos, South Korea, East Timor, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia: Ministry Of Hajj & Umrah Announces Umrah Calendar For 1448 AH; Details Inside
The Programme Will Continue Throughout The Year
Rather than bringing everyone at once, Saudi authorities plan to organise the visits in stages.
The programme will run in four separate phases during the Islamic year 1448 AH, allowing groups to travel at different times and complete their Umrah journey with support from organisers on the ground.
That said, details on the dates for each phase have not yet been shared publicly.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Opens Visa Applications For New Season Of Umrah! Details Inside
Officials Say The Aim Goes Beyond Travel
According to Saudi officials, the programme is about more than simply helping people reach Makkah and Madinah.
The initiative is also intended to strengthen ties between Muslim communities in different parts of the world and create opportunities for religious and cultural exchange. Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for continuing to support programmes that make religious travel easier for Muslims. He said the Kingdom remains committed to welcoming visitors and helping them perform Umrah comfortably and with peace of mind
Cover Image Courtesy: HH Salman/X, CanvaPro/ Lalezarfa from Pexels
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE. First Published: June 24, 2026 3:00 PMFAQs
Which countries are represented in the first phase?
The first group includes pilgrims from 16 Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Japan.
How many people are in the first group?
The first batch includes 250 pilgrims.