Saudi Arabia: Makkah Records 1.2 M+ Umrah Pilgrims From 109 Countries!

Saudi Arabia opened the current season for Dhul Hijjah 15 on June 21. Since then, over 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in the kingdom for Umrah. Yes, this was announced by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah on Thursday, July 31. Yes, this is a big deal as the record-breaking numbers of children from 109 countries, and we are here to tell you all about these incredible figures

Makkah Records Over 1.2 Million Umrah Pilgrims

As recently reported by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, there has been a 30% increase in the arrivals of Umrah pilgrims. This is in comparison to the same period for the previous year. Pilgrims have entered the kingdom for the religious journey from 109 countries. This means there’s also been a 27% rise in the number of visas issued for Umrah.

It is believed that the surge in religious tourism has been attributed to the operational efficiency. Not to mention, 4,200 contracts have been signed between Umrah companies and overseas agents. And it seems that it was only coordination with relevant authorities, which makes it possible for a smooth start of the season. As a result, people have been able to take on this pilgrimage with a lot of ease.

Also Read: Egypt: Licensed Tour Guides To Get Paid More Under Revised Guidelines; Details Inside

Saudi Arabia Launches ‘In The Prophet’s Steps’

This development comes at a time when there are talks about recreating the Hijra journey between Mecca and Medina. Called ‘In the Prophet’s Steps,’ the aim is to recreate the 470 km trek. This will be done using advanced technology, which will retrace the footsteps of the Prophet, featuring 41 landmarks, 30 restaurants, a dedicated migration museum, and 50 shops; this route will be worth traversing. In fact, it is also being mentioned how 305 km of the route will be walkable, while the remainder will be assisted by specially designed 4×4 vehicles.

So, would you also want to take on the Umrah this season? Well, don’t forget to stay tuned to the space as we will also reveal details about the upcoming season of Haj once they are out.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Mo7sen Mohammad from Pexels