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