Umrah pilgrims can travel across Saudi Arabia as the government lifts the restriction due to pandemic. Previously, those with an Umrah visa were not able to travel anywhere in the Kingdom except Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, Makkah, because of the travel restrictions imposed due to the global pandemic. With current guidelines in place, overseas Umrah pilgrims can now travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia.

Umrah pilgrims can travel across Saudi cities

The Ministry of Umrah and Hajj has made it official that Umrah pilgrims are free to move between the cities of Makkah and Madinah and across all cities of the kingdom during their stay. The authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow overseas Muslims holding Umrah-specific visas to move across the kingdom during their stay. According to the Saudi authorities, the stay duration for arrivals on Umrah visas is 30 days.

There is a massive rush among both local and overseas pilgrims performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia this year. Umrah was suspended for citizens and residents by Saudi Arabia on March 4, 2020, as COVID-19 started to spread rapidly during that time.
The authorities also issued orders preventing pilgrims from visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah at around the same time.
Travel Restrictions Have Been Eased Completely

Umrah was resumed for domestic pilgrims and worshippers in October 2020 after seven months of its suspension because of the pandemic.
On March 5, 2022, the Saudi authorities lifted most COVID-19 restrictions in the kingdom. This included removal of the physical distancing regulation among worshippers visiting the Makkah’s Grand Mosque and the revered Mosque in Madinah.

On March 30, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that holders of all types of visas could enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. They must first obtain the necessary permits through the Eatmarna application.

An Unprecedented Surge After Pandemic Restrictions

This year, around 2.5 million Muslims performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque since the start of the holy month of Ramzan on April 2, 2022. About eight million liters of the Holy Zamzam water were distributed at the Grand Mosque in the first ten days of Ramzan.

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Umrah And Hajj During COVID-19 In 2021

At times new strains of COVID-19 infections were spreading worldwide, the authorities put strict restrictions on Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. In July, only 60,000 people came to perform Hajj in comparison to an average of 2 million Hajj pilgrims every year. The allowed pilgrims were fully inoculated with the doses of Oxford’s AstraZeneca, and Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As per the latest data, currently, Saudi reports– 545k total cases and 8.78k deaths due to COVID-19. However, the cases have seen a significant decline in the past few weeks. Consequently, authorities are preparing to permit foreign pilgrims at full capacity.

Mobile Application – E-Visa For Hajj And Umrah

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi minister of foreign affairs, announced the launch of an electronic visa registration smartphone-based application. The authorities will disclose the name of the app, its specifications, and necessary fields for the form registrations very soon. The application will ease the pressure from people gathering at the visas centers and possibly catching infections.

The biometric application will prove beneficial for people who are not aware of the new protocols. Some experts assume that it will contain guidelines that have to be followed while performing Umrah and Hajj. Pilgrims will have to submit necessary documents along with a certificate for vaccination. The authorities will verify the details and automatically grant e-visas according to the authenticity of the details.

Masjid Al-Haram To Work At Full Capacity

Another major news came from Masjid Al-Haram on 17th Oct 2021. The authorities at Grand Mosque are lifting off restrictions on the numbers of pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah. They took this decision considering the decline in COVID-19 cases and increasing inquiries for pilgrimage. Local media are publishing pictures and footage of people praying alongside maintaining minimal social distance. Though social distancing has been relaxed in Al-Haram, pilgrims will still have to wear masks at all times within the perimeter of the mosque.

Saudi Arabia has also lifted bans from many countries, including India, for the pilgrimage. These countries fell under red names due to COVID-19’s severity. As the world has considerably recovered from the havoc caused by COVID-19’s new strains, Saudi Arabia is steadily opening doors for these countries.

Authorities are using various mobile applications to track the individuals arriving in Makkah for the pilgrimages. These applications will tell the vaccination status, individual’s infection status, visa’s authenticity, and much more. Authorities request pilgrims to follow the guidelines provided by the authorities and keep themselves posted with any updates.

Moreover, several online portals and support stations are present to help pilgrims with their questions and answers related to Hajj and Umrah. Authorities request worshippers to take full advantage of such centers for safe pilgrimage.

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During Umrah pilgrimage, devotees have to perform three main ritual acts:

• Tawaf, which is circumambulating The Holy Kaaba in an anticlockwise direction;
• Sa’i, walking seven times forward and backward between Marwah and Safa Hills;
• Halq, wherein the male pilgrims shave or shorten their hair

After completing these three acts, a pilgrim leaves the state of Ihram: the sacred state a Muslim must assumed in order to perform the Hajj or Umrah, and completes the journey to Umrah.

Performing Umrah with complete rituals usually takes only a few hours. If you have more time to spend in the holy city of Mecca, you can visit really beautiful places of attraction. They are serene, sacred, and located in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Best Places to Visit During Umrah In Makkah

While in the city of Makkah, there are many places in Makkah and Madinah that are worthy of a visit. Out of the many here are the top 12 points of attraction that one must see.

1. Masjid-Al Haram

Well-known as the Great Mosque of Makkah, Masjid-Al Haram surrounds Makkah’s Kaaba. It is one of the must visit places during Umrah as at the epicenter of this mosque, Muslims offer their prayers to Allah facing the holy Kaaba. In fact, pilgrims start-off the holy journey of Umrah from here. A key rite performed at this pilgrimage is circumambulating the Kaaba, one of the most spiritual things to do during Umrah.

2. Jabal al-Nour

Also known as ‘Hill of Illumination’ or ‘Mountain of Light’, Jabal al-Nour is famous for a cave named Gar-e-Hira. As per the Islamic literature, this is the place where the holy words of Allah were first revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibreel. This is why Hira Cave is one of the significant places to visit during the Umrah journey.

3. Mount Arafat

Quite renowned as Jabal ar-Rahmah or Jabal Arafat, Mount Arafat is visited by scores of Muslims during the Hajj pilgrimage. This is where pilgrims offer prayers to Allah and perform various rituals.

4. Jannat-al-Mu’alla

One of the most significant cemeteries for Muslims, Jannat-al-Mu’alla is where many ancestors and relatives of Prophet Muhammad are said to be resting in peace. It is located to the north of Al-Masjid Al-Haram; the distance is about a kilometer, which can be walked in 15 minutes. Most people visit this cemetery to pay their respects to the deceased souls.

5. Masjid-e-Ayesha

The second-largest mosque in Makkah, Masjid-e-Aisha (also called Masjid e Taneem) is one of the oldest establishments in the city, which makes it a must-visit place during Umrah pilgrimage. It is situated close to the holy Kaaba. Here, pilgrims can enter the sacred state of Ihram.

6. Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah

The birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah is located in She’eb Banu Hashim in Makkah. Previously a mountain, this place has been converted into a national library. To know some interesting facts about the history of Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah, watch the video below:

Video Credit – Yedikıta Dergisi

7. City of Mina

Also known as ‘City of Tents’, the City of Mina offers temporary accommodation to Hajj pilgrims in air-conditioned tents. It is situated in close proximity to Masjid-al-Haram, thus can be easily visited during the holy journey of Umrah.

Most Sacred Places to Visit During Umrah In Madinah

8. Masjid-e-Nabawi

Located in the holy city of Madinah, this stunning mosque of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is one of the most sacred places to visit after Umrah pilgrimage. According to the Islamic culture, this place is the resting place of Prophet Muhammad.

It is one of the largest mosques around the world, and is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. Praying at this holy mosque is among the best things to do during Umrah.

9. Masjid-al-Quba

Situated on the outer area of Madinah, the Quba Mosque is known to be the first mosque in the history of Islam. Witnessing a huge footfall throughout the year, this mosque is one of the most sacred places to visit during Umrah. Also the second-largest mosque in the sacred city, this place witnesses large gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan.

10. Mount Uhud

One of the best things to do during Umrah pilgrimage is visiting the historic place of Mount Uhud in Madinah. It is the site of the Battle of Uhud, and is a place of high significance in the Islamic culture. Graveyards of fighters, who laid down their lives in this battle, can be found near this site.

11. Dar Al-Madinah Museum

The foremost museum in Madinah, Al Madinah Museum boasts of rare artefacts and archaeological collections, all of which capture the heritage of this holy city. The beautiful museum offers a glimpse into the rich culture of Islam.

12. Masjid al-Qiblatayn

A beautiful mosque situated in the holy city of Madinah, Masjid al-Qiblatayn is the place where Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad for changing the direction of the Qibla to Mecca from Jerusalem. The mosque was in the Islamic year 2 AH (623 CE) by Sawad ibn: meaning son of Ghanam ibn Ka’ab.

Incorporating these sacred places to visit during Umrah in the itinerary, gives a sense of completion to journey to the house of Allah.

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