logo
Saudi Arabia Allocates Enter & Exit Gates for Pilgrims in Grand Mosque

Saudi Arabia Allocates Enter & Exit Gates for Pilgrims in Grand Mosque

Leaders06-02-2025

The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques has advised pilgrims to enter the Grand Mosque through the designated gates, Gulf News reported.
The authority also underscored that it has allocated certain gates for Umrah pilgrims to access the Mataf (circumambulation) courtyard in the mosque.
These gates are King Fahd No 79, Ajyad No 3, and Umrah No 62.
Meanwhile, exit gates from the Mas'a area are on the ground and first floors via the Al Shabika, Ajyad, and Al Abbas bridges.
In this context, the Saudi authorities noted that worshippers should know the numbers of gates and designated exits from the Mataf and Mas'a sites to ensure an easy and smooth movement in the holy site especially in peak hours.
The current Umrah season commenced in late June following the successful of 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, which saw around 1.8 million Muslims worldwide.
Approximately 13.5 million Muslims performed Umrah last year, with plans to host 15 million pilgrims next year, according to Saudi officials. Smooth Procedures
Saudi Arabia has recently issued numerous new measures to facilitate Umrah procedures.
For example, the authorities have extended Umrah visa from 30 to 90 days, allowing holders to enter the Kingdom through all land, air, and seaports and depart from any airport.
Moreover, those who are holding various types of entry visas, including personal, visit, and tourism visas, are now allowed to perform Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina after booking an e-appointment.
Saudi citizens can also invite their friends abroad to visit the kingdom and perform Umrah.
Related Topics:
3rd Group of Umrah Guests Commend Saudi Arabia's Role in Preserving Holy Sites
Saudi Arabia Enforces Licensed Transport for Umrah Pilgrims
ACYW-135 Vaccine is a Must: New Health Regulations for Kuwaiti Umrah Pilgrims
Short link :
Post Views: 17

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hajj ministry seeks documentation of housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims
Hajj ministry seeks documentation of housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Gazette

time7 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Hajj ministry seeks documentation of housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has called on Umrah service providing companies, establishments, and foreign agents to document housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims in tourist hospitality facilities licensed by the Ministry of Tourism through the "Nusuk Masar" platform. The move is part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to ensure high-quality services for Umrah pilgrims and enhance operational efficiency throughout the Umrah season. The ministry clarified that the issuance of Umrah visas is now contingent upon a documented contract with licensed hospitality providers. This measure aims to regulate the hospitality sector and ensure Umrah pilgrims to have a safe and comfortable experience from the time of their arrival until departure. This directive came into effect from the beginning of the Umrah season on Dhul Hijjah 14, 1446 AH, corresponding to June 10. Authorities emphasized the importance of early contract documentation and strict adherence to the approved regulations to avoid delays in visa issuance or exposure to regulatory action. This decision reflects ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Tourism to raise the standard of services, protect Umrah pilgrims' rights, and prevent practices that could negatively impact their experience.

Passports Directorate completes departure procedures for first flights of pilgrims from Jeddah
Passports Directorate completes departure procedures for first flights of pilgrims from Jeddah

Saudi Gazette

time7 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Passports Directorate completes departure procedures for first flights of pilgrims from Jeddah

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports completed the departure procedures for the first flights of pilgrims via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah after they performed this year's Hajj rituals in ease and comfort. The Passports Directorate confirmed its readiness to complete departure procedures for pilgrims through all land crossings, airports, and seaports in Saudi Arabia. It stressed the importance of pilgrims adhering to the departure times for their home countries after performing the annual pilgrimage.

‘Soaring in the air': Returning Pakistani Hajj pilgrims praise spiritual experience despite intense heat
‘Soaring in the air': Returning Pakistani Hajj pilgrims praise spiritual experience despite intense heat

Arab News

time11 hours ago

  • Arab News

‘Soaring in the air': Returning Pakistani Hajj pilgrims praise spiritual experience despite intense heat

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised the smooth organization and facilities provided during this year's Hajj, despite facing intense heat in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Pakistan's post-Hajj flight operation began with the arrival of PIA flight PK732 in Islamabad earlier in the day, carrying 307 pilgrims. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of seven flights are scheduled to transport 1,496 pilgrims to Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Karachi on the first day of the repatriation operation. 'A total of seven flights carrying 1,496 pilgrims will land on June 11, while the post-Hajj flight operation will conclude on July 10 with the last flight landing in Islamabad,' Muhammad Umer Butt, spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry, informed. Speaking to Arab News at Islamabad International Airport, returning pilgrims praised the Hajj experience, describing it as spiritually uplifting and logistically smooth, crediting the Saudi authorities for their efforts. 'It [Hajj] was very good and an amazing experience,' said Muhammad Waseem from Attock. 'It was very hot, but the Saudi government had made good arrangements— there was water and fans everywhere.' He said the Saudi authorities had taken excellent care of the pilgrims and ensured things remained smooth. Those who followed their group schedules found the experience far less strenuous, he continued. 'Only those people got tired and faced difficulties who did not follow their scheduled timings fixed by the authorities for different groups for the Hajj rituals,' he noted. Abdul Malik, a pilgrim from Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, echoed similar sentiments. 'The arrangements were very good,' he said. 'When Allah calls a person to visit His House and the Mosque of His Prophet [PBUH], it feels as if the person is soaring in the air. Such is the feeling which cannot be described in words.' Samina Bibi from Islamabad called her Hajj deeply spiritual and fulfilling. 'My experience of Hajj was very good and I prayed for everyone, including all the Muslims,' she said. 'Only Allah Almighty can understand my feelings during Hajj.' Bibi informed it was her second visit to the Holy Places, having previously performed Umrah, and found the arrangements to be 'very good.' Abdul Haq, another pilgrim from Islamabad, reflected on the ease with which his journey unfolded. 'When I intended to perform Hajj, after that, Allah made everything easy upon easy, and we prayed for everyone including Muslims sitting in front of the Holy Kaaba,' he said. 'The arrangements made by the Saudi government were excellent. We faced no difficulties during Hajj.' While he acknowledged the natural hardships due to the heat in Mina and Muzdalifah, Haq said the experience remained 'smooth and truly unforgettable.' 'In Hajj, there were not really difficulties, but there is hardship, mainly due to the heat,' he added. 'However, overall, our Hajj was so wonderful that it's beyond words, and we kept thanking the Saudi government for all the arrangements throughout.' This year's Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities. Pakistan, which sent over 116,000 pilgrims under both government and private schemes, was among several countries managing large-scale contingents in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store