100,000 foreign pilgrims in Saudi Arabia since November following resumption of Umrah

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has received around 100,000 pilgrims from abroad after the resumption of Umrah services for foreign pilgrims since last November 1, 2020, Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten announced yesterday.

He said the ministry is working on operational plans to welcome the month of Ramadan and currently studying with the concerned authorities the developments related to the next Haj season.

Benten said that around nine million beneficiaries took advantage of the ministry’s Eatmarna application.

“The Kingdom has worked to implement an integrated strategic plan for Haj and Umrah with preventive plans and precautionary measures to allow Umrah in limited numbers and several precise phases,”.

“The technological programs have contributed to facilitate the performance of rituals in a professional and orderly manner, as well as to follow up the reports and indices related to performing Haj and Umrah, and harnessing them to unify and develop accurate plans for the coming Ramadan.

“The programs will also help carry out studies about the health related developments that the ministry is working on with the participation of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and all government agencies involved in serving the guests of God,” he said.

Benten cited the Kingdom’s humanitarian stances that drew attention and global admiration, including what it did towards the pilgrims who got stuck in the Kingdom after enforcement of strict precautionary measures and preventive protocols following the outbreak of the pandemic.

These pilgrims were provided with all means of comfort until their return to their countries, the minister pointed out.

“The Ministry of Haj and Umrah had worked around the clock, in cooperation with the security and health authorities and the presidency, on plans to resume the Umrah service in three phases, as the preparations required careful precautionary measures and meticulous crowd management measures,” he added.