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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia resumes Umrah visa issuance from June 10: What pilgrims need to know
Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Saudi Arabia has announced that it will resume issuing Umrah visas beginning Tuesday, June 10 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1446), just days after concluding what has been widely described as one of the safest and most efficiently managed Hajj seasons to date. According to a confirmation by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the first wave of international pilgrims for the new Umrah season is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, June 11. Visa Issuance Timeline and Operator Deadlines The official visa issuance date of June 10 marks the formal opening of the new Umrah cycle, which will extend well into 2026 (1447H). In preparation, Umrah companies and international travel agents were instructed by the Ministry to finalize their service agreements no later than May 27 (29 Dhul Qadah 1446). This administrative requirement ensures that pilgrims will receive coordinated services upon arrival, including accommodation, transportation, and guidance, key elements that are part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience. A Seamless Transition Following a Safe and Efficient Hajj The reopening of Umrah visas comes on the heels of a successful Hajj season, which concluded in early June 2025. According to official figures shared by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, more than 1.6 million pilgrims from across the globe participated in this year's pilgrimage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 최대 할인 지원해드려요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo The scale and logistics of Hajj are immense, and this year was no exception. The season was marked by a series of well-executed safety and operational measures, contributing to smooth rituals across the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. Key operational highlights included: 3,314 flights operated by 62 airlines Flights connected 238 cities in 71 countries proactive public safety campaign The success of Hajj 2025, marked by minimal disruption and efficient crowd management, has paved the way for a confident and timely return to Umrah operations. Why Umrah Visas Are Temporarily Suspended Before Hajj Saudi authorities traditionally pause Umrah visa issuance several weeks before Hajj begins. This pause is critical to ensuring that the nation's full logistical, health, and security capabilities are focused exclusively on accommodating the Hajj pilgrimage, which occurs over a concentrated time frame and involves a significantly larger number of pilgrims compared to Umrah. By suspending Umrah operations temporarily, the Kingdom ensures: Uninterrupted planning and execution of Hajj Safer conditions for all pilgrims More efficient use of resources during peak pilgrimage time Year-Round Umrah Access and What to Expect Next Unlike Hajj, which is bound to a specific Islamic lunar period, Umrah is open year-round. With visa issuance now resuming, Saudi Arabia is preparing to host a fresh influx of pilgrims who wish to perform the lesser pilgrimage in the coming months. According to the Ministry, updates will continue to be released in the near future regarding: Pilgrim quotas Travel protocols Health and safety guidelines As part of its long-term vision, Saudi Arabia is expected to incorporate lessons from Hajj 2025 into the ongoing modernization and streamlining of the Umrah experience.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Hajj attendance falls to 30-year low excluding Covid-19 pandemic period
Authorities did not immediately offer an explanation for the low turnout. A pilgrim receives water to cool himself (Amr Nabil/AP) It is almost 160,000 fewer pilgrims than last year and a far cry from the pre-pandemic boom, when attendance would regularly push past two million. There was a record-breaking Hajj in 2012, when more than 3.16 million Muslims took part. The kingdom ran a pared-down pilgrimage during the Covid-19 pandemic, sharply reducing the scale of the Hajj between 2020 and 2022 while still allowing a small number of the faithful to take part in the annual event. The Hajj in 2023 was the first to be held without restrictions since the start of the pandemic in 2020. At the Hajj, Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia to unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they fulfil one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation. It can be the spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. But inflation and economic crises around the world are putting the Hajj out of reach for some. Excess heat and tougher rules for entry may also have deterred potential pilgrims from heading to Saudi Arabia this year. Earlier on Thursday, pilgrims gathered in Arafat to spend hours in worship and contemplation. The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Koran and it is where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. On Friday, pilgrims will head to the vast tent city of Mina to carry out the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual by throwing pebbles at pillars.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Muslim pilgrims seek forgiveness and shade on Mount Arafat in key Hajj ritual
Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40C. Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief. A pilgrim receives water to cool himself (Amr Nabil/AP) Salem Naji Ahmed, from Yemen, travelled four days to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he could not afford the flight. 'These sacred feelings are the most luxurious and best thing about Arafat,' he told The Associated Press. 'We came from Yemen, four days and nights. It was very tiring, but we came to please Allah and perform one of his obligations in the holy sites and in the best area on earth.' The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Koran and it is where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. Hatem Salem, from Egypt, said: 'We cannot express the feeling. We feel the best at the holy sites with a humble heart and faith.' Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it. The authorities have not disclosed the total number of pilgrims at this year's Hajj. Earlier, they said more than 1.5 million foreigners were participating. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Muslim pilgrims seek forgiveness and shade on Mount Arafat in key Hajj ritual
Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40C. Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief. A pilgrim receives water to cool himself (Amr Nabil/AP) Salem Naji Ahmed, from Yemen, travelled four days to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he could not afford the flight. 'These sacred feelings are the most luxurious and best thing about Arafat,' he told The Associated Press. 'We came from Yemen, four days and nights. It was very tiring, but we came to please Allah and perform one of his obligations in the holy sites and in the best area on earth.' The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Koran and it is where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. Hatem Salem, from Egypt, said: 'We cannot express the feeling. We feel the best at the holy sites with a humble heart and faith.' Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it. The authorities have not disclosed the total number of pilgrims at this year's Hajj. Earlier, they said more than 1.5 million foreigners were participating. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Muslim pilgrims seek forgiveness and shade on Mount Arafat in key Hajj ritual
Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims clambered up rocks and nestled between boulders on Thursday as they embarked on a day of worship under the scorching sun at the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40C. Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief. A pilgrim receives water to cool himself (Amr Nabil/AP) Salem Naji Ahmed, from Yemen, travelled four days to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he could not afford the flight. 'These sacred feelings are the most luxurious and best thing about Arafat,' he told The Associated Press. 'We came from Yemen, four days and nights. It was very tiring, but we came to please Allah and perform one of his obligations in the holy sites and in the best area on earth.' The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Koran and it is where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. Hatem Salem, from Egypt, said: 'We cannot express the feeling. We feel the best at the holy sites with a humble heart and faith.' Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it. The authorities have not disclosed the total number of pilgrims at this year's Hajj. Earlier, they said more than 1.5 million foreigners were participating. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country.
