Umah Pilgrimage To Resume From October 4

The umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will resume from October 4, as disclosed by the country's interior ministry.

This development comes after seven months of suspension of the religious activity due to the pandemic.

In a statement, the ministry stated that in the first stage of the resumption of the pilgrimage, “6,000 citizens and residents within the kingdom will be allowed to perform the umrah per day from October 4.”

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While pilgrims from outside the country will be to partake from November 1, as the capacity of the umrah will be increased to allow 20,000 pilgrims each day.

The Umrah

The umrah is a pilgrimage observed by Muslim faithfuls that can be done at any time of the year, unlike the hajj, and Muslims from every part of the world partakes in it.

In March, the pilgrimage was suspended by Saudi Arabia due to the coronavirus pandemic, as the government feared that the allowance of large numbers of visitors into the country lead to high numbers of coronavirus infections.

The ministry also added that the resumption of the pilgrimage was a response to the "aspirations of Muslims home and abroad" to allow them to partake in the Islamic ritual.