Major Saudi Arabia forum on Umrah opens this week

Cairo: A major government forum on the Umrah or lesser pilgrimage will be held this week in the Saudi city of Medina, home to Islam’s second holiest mosque.

Titled “Enriching the experiment of Umrah pilgrims and visitors”, the second edition of the forum will open on Monday and run until Wednesday with the participation of decision-makers, service providers and innovators from all over the world to exchange expertise.

More than 150 exhibitors representing over 100 countries will attend the forum that is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors, including investors, experts, and leaders of the sector as well as representatives from the non-profit sector.

The latest edition of the event aims to set new standards for enhancing the Umrah experience, enriched by technological innovations, digital transformations, and sustainable investments.

Some 9.2 million Muslims from outside Saudi Arabia performed the Umrah rites in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest in Mecca, from the beginning of the Islamic Hijri year 1446 in late June until the end of the Ramadan month on March 29, according to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Millions of Muslims from inside and outside the kingdom flock to the Two Holy Mosques during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan that usually marks the peak season of the Umrah.

After undertaking the Umrah, many pilgrims would head to Medina to perform prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque.