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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The leading online travel distribution platform famous for serving the needs of those looking for quick and convenient Umrah bookings, Zamzam has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Makkah-based Al-Birr Charitable Society. Under the Zamzam Al Birr MoU, Zamzam aims to develop and strengthen the information technology unit at the association.

Meaning of Zamzam Al Birr MoU

The CEO of Zamzam, Omar Siraj Akbar, expressed his profound happiness in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Makkah-based Al-Birr Charitable Society. They are committed to helping Al-Birr develop their IT unit at the association. The agreement is also part of their commitment to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of supporting society within the framework of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The signatories were Omar Siraj Akbar, CEO, Zamzam, and Hisham Abderrahman Shilly, the Vice-Chairman of Al-Birr Charitable Society.
Zamzam.com is a reputed online portal known for delivering the acclaimed Umrah booking services.
Al-Birr is a leading charity association in Makkah and has become the first one to take advantage of the support of Zamzam for developing its systems. The association is looking to streamline Al-Birr operations and will achieve its objectives with the expertise and experience of Zamzam.

Terms of the Zamzam Al Birr MoU

According to the agreement, for every booking done on the site, a part of the fund will go to Al-Birr for the next year. This amount will be utilized to support several programs that have been developed to serve the community. These include helping orphans by sponsoring them, providing monetary support to the deprived, developing educational programs, and sponsoring medical facilities such as kidney dialysis treatments.

Zamzam follows the core values of integrity, reliability, and transparency. Zamzam has reiterated its commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. They are working towards that goal by developing the operations and facilitating the electronic transformation of all Al-Birr services.
According to the Co, through this partnership, Zamzam hopes to leverage the power of technology to serve and give back to the communities they operate in. Shilly, the Vice Chairman of Al-Birr, is also clear about the role of Al-Birr Charitable Society in this partnership.

Al-Birr humanitarian initiatives

Al-Birr will work hard to carry out voluntary initiatives that will benefit various segments of society. They will work with Zamzam to build a broad spectrum of its services. The terms of the memorandum will make it easy for Al-Birr to improve its infrastructure in the tech area and modernize the services to deliver better experiences.

Al-Birr Charitable Society in Makkah is the first philanthropic society in the Kingdom. The association serves the poor individuals of the holy city. It also serves the needs of the pilgrims going to the Grand Mosque.

Zamzam services for Umrah pilgrims

Zamzam launched its online portal in September 2021 and offers a whole range of Umrah booking services. These include packages for Umrah pilgrims, booking for hotels, visa assistance, flight transfers, accommodation, ground arrangements, and other services.
Over the years, Zamzam has emerged as one of the leading travel distribution platforms in the world and has earned a reputation as a reliable and efficient service. The user-friendly and trusted booking search engine caters to B2B and B2C markets. Clients can use the platform to search for and find the best hotels, transfer, and ground services. The platform is committed to making Umrah pilgrimage simple and easy for all its clients.

What is Zamzam.com

Zamzam.com is a brand owned by United Experts for IT Systems. It is a licensed agency and certified to do business in Saudi Arabia. It has a joint venture with a leading travel distribution platform globally called TBO. The Zamzam platform is a technologically efficient, friendly, and reliable platform. It offers highly personalized services, made more efficient with unparalleled customer support. Zamzam stands apart for its reliability and transparency and is ideal for travel professionals, hospitality industry executives, and destination managers.

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Schengen is the EU passport-free zone that encompasses the majority of European nations. It is the world’s largest free travel zone. A Schengen Visa is a short-term Visa that allows its bearer to travel freely across the Schengen area. Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Estonia, Denmark, Latvia, Finland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Luxembourg, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Malta, Poland, Norway, Slovakia, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, and Switzerland are among the 26 countries that makes the Schengen area. However, Saudi Arabia’s officials have said that holders of a Schengen Visa must first reach the issuing nation before entering Saudi Arabia to be eligible to enter the KSA.

Umrah 2022

In essence, the Umrah means ‘a visit’ to the Holy Kaaba (the Sacred House of God) in Arabic. It can be conducted by any Muslim at any time of year unlike Hajj. Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah that must be performed between the first ten days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. The primary goal of Umrah is to purify the soul of its previous misdeeds and sins. Annual Umrah restores faith in Allah and help a Muslim to lead on the path of truth. Umrah can be performed more than once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

Schengen visa for Umrah rules

Saudi Arabia also allows holders of valid visas from the United States and the United Kingdom to enter the country. The new rules will benefit pilgrims with an up-to-date Schengen/UK/US visa. However, Schengen, UK, or US Visas holders must obey other rules and regulations before entering Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities have especially stressed the need to adhere to public health safety procedures, including always wearing a face mask. Further due to increasing queries on Umrah during Ramadan, it becomes more important to follow these safety instructions at all times,

Pilgrims who do not hold Schengen, UK, or US Visas must apply for e-Umrah Visa through Digital Visa App for Hajj and Umrah services. It applies to individuals coming from outside the Kingdom. Pilgrims must submit their biometric details into the App, and that is it, they have an e-visa and are ready to begin their spiritual trip. To undertake Umrah, all Muslims must arrange an appointment using the Eatmarna app, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Umrah appointments procedure

For booking Umrah appointments, the Ministry has established a step-by-step guide:

• Obtain a Visa to enter the Kingdom.
• When registering, double-check the validity period of the Visa.
• Make an appointment using the Eatmarna App.

If tourists do not enter the Kingdom within six hours of making their Umrah appointment, their Umrah permit would be automatically get invalid, according to the Ministry.

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Umrah requires Muslims to travel to the holy city and perform ceremonies. It can be undertaken throughout the year. However, it is strongly suggested that it must be done during Ramadan. Ramadan will begin on April 2nd and end on May 2nd, 2022.

E-visa for Umrah

Performing Umrah is subject to Saudi Arabian government norms and regulations. However, there is now a new Digital Visa App for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Pilgrims need to enter their biometric information into the App, and they will get e-visa to embark on their spiritual journey. The App was created in alliance with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Tourism, the Presidency of State Security, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the National Cybersecurity Authority, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Italy, the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Austria, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Andorra, Brunei, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Greece are among the countries that will benefit from a visitor visa for Umrah. In addition, Iceland, Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, Ireland, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, San Marino, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Latvia, Ukraine, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Norway, New Zealand and Australia are among the other countries on the list.

Umrah e visa requirements

• If the applicant has a non-Muslim name, a mosque or Islamic center certificate declaring that the applicant is a Muslim must be submitted.
• The application form should include a recent passport-size color photograph with a white backdrop. The passport-size photo must be a full-face portrait of the visa applicant facing the camera. Views from the side or an angle are not permitted.
• Passports must be valid for at least six months from application submission.
• Confirmed and non-refundable airline ticket.
• A Meningococcal Meningitis immunization certificate should be included. The immunization certificate must have been issued during the last three years and within the last ten days before admission into Saudi Arabia. It must be valid for three years. When entering Saudi Arabia, the applicant must have their vaccination proof with them.

The Umrah visa is only valid for 30 days. Hajj and Umrah service providers will be fined SR 25,000 for each pilgrim who stays in the Kingdom after their visas have expired.

With the launch of Umrah e visa one can easily carry on Umrah pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia is making arrangements to meet the increasing demands of visas and queries related to the holy pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah. As Umrah carries immense significance in the lives of every Muslims, the authorities want to make it a spiritual experience away from stress and inconvenience.

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Umrah is a sacred pilgrim ritual that is carried out in large numbers by Muslims around the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also incorporated various facilities in order to facilitate the needs of pilgrims. Given the importance of these annual events, there are also a number of regulations for domestic as well as international visitors.

Umrah authorities during COVID-19

Given the onslaught of COVID 19, there are specific health requirements that must be met by pilgrims for Umrah. Necessary precautions such as recommending the elderly and those with chronic diseases (for example- kidney disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, heart disease), visitors who have a deficient immune system, children below the age of 12, pregnant women should postpone their pilgrimage of Umrah keeping their safety as the foremost priority. Additionally, the Saudi Ministry also recommends that locals, as well as international visitors, prepare for immunization against all diseases through vaccines. Also, in the event of any public health emergency outbreak, it is the responsibility of Saudi Arabian health authorities to undertake preventive measures.

Umrah booking via Tawakkalna

Recently, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have made it necessary for pilgrims to get their Umrah permits and appointments through the Tawakkalna app. There are a number of permits that one can get through the app, namely; the permit to pray in Masjid al-Haram of Makkah, the appointment to offer prayers in the Riyaz ul Jannah for men, the permit for women to pray in the Riaz ul Jannah and the appointment for men to visit the Roda Rasool.

How to book via Tawakkalna?

Getting the permit is not a difficult process, and the first thing one needs to do is download the Tawakkalna application from any iOS or Android mobile. Individuals who are above the age of 18 must register with Tawakkalna in order to get a permit. The entire booking or appointment process is simple that includes clicking on the ‘services’ option, then issuing the permit, and finally processing the permit. One can select the company as per their desire with whom they want to book an appointment, the date and time of their convenience, and their city of arrival. The permit will be issued but would not be valid without the transportation fee of 20 SAR per pilgrim either before or within two hours of booking the appointment.

Umrah rules

Hefty fines are also levied on visitors who enter the holy place without their permits. Since a pilgrim can only reissue their Umrah permit after a gap of 14 days of performing their first Umrah, it is advisable for them to cancel their permit through Tawakkalna.

The app also lets citizens choose the time that they find convenient and appropriate for performing Umrah. During the month of Ramadan vast number of pilgrims book for Umrah pilgrimage permits while other days do not see such surge in bookings. Therefore, Umrah booking via Tawakkalna will sort many problems including managing the surge in pilgrims and their safety inside Al Haram.

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In the early 1950s, the number of pilgrims abroad rarely topped 100,000, and Saudi institutions were still in the early stages of development. Nonetheless, by the early 2000s, the overall number of Hajj pilgrims had surpassed 2 million, recently peaking at well over 3 million. Increasing number of pilgrims have put enormous strain on Makkah’s infrastructure and authorities. Hundreds of people have died in periodic tragedies such as fires and stampedes, the most recent of which occurred in 2015. Since then, the Saudi authorities have spent a significant amount of money in an ongoing effort to improve Hajj facilities and management.

Transformation Towards Innovation

Transformation Towards Innovation is an initiative to assist entrepreneurs in improving the pilgrim experience.

Three sessions, including notable speakers, specialists, and academics from the Hajj and Umrah sectors and the presence of 30 ministers from throughout the Islamic world, is to be held on the first day of the conference.

The 3 sessions will focus on

• Transformation Toward Innovation And Technology,
• Improving and designing new Digital Experience for Pilgrims,
• Pioneering Actions and Innovation In Hajj Services.

Ibrahim A. Al-Omar (Director-general of Saudia Airlines) Col. General Suliman Al-Yahya (General Director of Passports), Abdulrahman Addas, (the CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites), and Al-Rabiah are among the speakers in the first session.

On the margins of the conference, an exhibition will showcase programs, products, and initiatives from individuals working in the Hajj and Umrah sectors.

On the initial day of the conference, two workshops will also be held

• The Art Of Engaging With Pilgrims
• Design Thinking In The Sphere Of Hajj And Umrah.

Further, the International Conference will be held in 2 stages

1st Stage: It will be a three-day Hajj Creative Hackathon to provide practical, creative solutions to Hajj services. The winners will get a prize of SAR 150,000.

2nd Stage: The Kingdom’s entrepreneurs are the focus of the second stage. They’ll participate in The Open Innovation Platform, sharing recommendations and concepts. Several events and workshops to attract more entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial efforts into the Hajj and Umrah sector will likely to be held during this stage. The ministry and the Small and Medium Enterprises Normal Authority (Monsha’at) will foster and support these small businesses.

Conference’s final goal

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, stated that the number of pilgrims allowed to perform Hajj this year would be chosen based on the results of ongoing studies. He stated that the studies are being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to assure the pilgrims’ and Hajj’s safety.

Through the Hajj Talk platform, the conference will discuss the most exemplary innovative and successful ideas. The discussion will take place on issues compatible with the future of the two Holy Mosques, such as smart cities and constructing special development zones.

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As per the recent updates on COVID-19 infections worldwide, many restrictions have been lifted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for entry into Saudi Arabia. The latest decision on the pilgrimage states that foreign pilgrims are not required to show a negative RT-PCR test report on their arrival. Additionally, quarantine requirements have been dropped for locals as well as foreign pilgrims.

Restrictions for Umrah for unvaccinated Muslims

However, there are certain conditions affixed to the mandate for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated Muslims. Individuals should not have been infected with COVID-19 or came in contact with someone who has been tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the once compulsory rule that international Muslims must register for immunization data to get their respective Umrah permits has also been lifted. The pilgrims, therefore, are allowed to take part in offering prayers given they are not infected with COVID-19. Following this, pilgrims still are required to wear a face mask when inside the Mosque and other facilities to remain precautious. However, individuals are allowed to remove masks outside.

Umrah during COVID-19

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. This pilgrimage does not have any specific dates in the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims perform Umrah to seek blessings of benevolent Allah, ask for his forgiveness, and reinvigorate one’s belief in Islam. The pilgrims who take the spiritual journey of Umrah reap peace and happiness. Umrah is the only Sunnah that was performed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) twice in his life.

The annual religious pilgrimage of Umrah is undertaken by 2 to 3 million people each year. Performing Umrah brings hope for all Muslims around the globe irrespective of their gender, age and location. Visiting the holy Kaaba brings good fortune for the people of the Islamic faith. Muslims require specific necessities to make their way to the holy city. As millions of pilgrims head on to the journey of Umrah each year, the government has had responsibility to provide safe pilgrimage since the onset of COVID-19. Therefore, strict restrictions were imposed on the journey. However, these restrictions are being lifted sequentially by the government as per the changing situations of COVID-19.

Current COVID-19 restrictions

It is advisable for travelers who arrive on a visa to have medical insurance to cover COVID-19. As the concerned authorities have also resumed the holy pilgrimage of Umrah for unvaccinated Muslims, social distancing in the two holy mosques along with the indoor facilities must be maintained. The decision was made by the Saudi government after observing the significant decline in COVID infection rates. Pilgrims should adhere to the current restriction and cooperate with the authorities. Further, one must visit the government website for Hajj and Umrah travels for latest circulars before planning for the pilgrimage. One should also make use of safety mobile applications like Tawakkalna for convenient travel.

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The sacred rituals of Hajj and Umrah are performed by citizens, residents, and visitors in the holy city of Makkah. Millions of Muslims go to Makkah each year for the Hajj, a five-day pilgrimage in which Muslims from all over the world follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Objective of Hajjathon 2022

Saudi Arabia has made significant attempts and advancements to accommodate pilgrims’ demands and is in the process of constant improvement. Serving pilgrims, facilitating their execution of rites, and improving the efficiency of services offered to them are all priorities for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a result, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research launched the Hajjathon in 2022. It is an initiative to develop technical and creative solutions, improve the quality of services, enrich pilgrims’ experiences, and stimulate the Hajj and Umrah’s infrastructure.

Umm Al-Qura University had arranged a workshop in collaboration with the College of Computer and Information Systems, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research. It intended to examine projects that support efforts to improve the services provided to pilgrims and visitors. Additionally, it examined the scope of digital solutions for the issues of the Hajj and Umrah systems.

Digital transformation in the Hajj, Umrah

The 3-day workshop was held at the King Salman International Convention Centre and was themed ‘Digital Transformation in the Hajj, Umrah, and Visit System’. The workshop included pupils from the College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, the College of Medicine, the College of Applied Medical Sciences, and the College of Public Health and Health Informatics. Besides, the inauguration of the 3-day workshop was attended by academic researchers interested in Hajj-Umrah visit studies, experts in digital transformation, representatives from the public and private sectors, financial and educational institutions, and youth leaders.

Hajjathon 2022 held with the 21st Scientific Forum for Hajj was a technical competition, and the registration for the first edition started in the last week of February ’22. Hajjathon 2022 brought together software and business developers and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop top-notch technical solutions to improve Hajj and Umrah services. It was a global opportunity for young people to demonstrate their ability to create innovative ways to expand pilgrim services. It also tapped into local and international data and artificial intelligence skills.

“The workshop aims at developing research ideas and initiatives that suit the themes of the 21st Scientific Forum for Research on Hajj, Umrah and Visits, which will be held this year under the title: “Digital Transformation in the Hajj, Umrah and Visit System.”– Dr. Turki Al-Amr, the head of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation Research.

With the new challenges imposed by COVID-19, apps like Tawakkalna have greatly enhanced the experience of Umrah and Hajj. To promote more such apps the government organised Hajjathon in Feb 2022. Numerous renowned entrepreneurs and business owners took part in the convention along with research leaders.

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Pilgrims visit Makkah to perform the pilgrimage any time during the year, which is called ‘Umrah.’ Whereas ‘Hajj’ takes place on fixed dates according to the Islamic calendar once a year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Umrah pilgrimage was performed by almost 19 million pilgrims annually. For ‘Hajj’, around 2.5 million Muslims used to visit Makkah. But, in 2021, only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens were permitted to perform the Hajj due to the adverse effect of the pandemic. According to the sources, only 1000 people performed the holy Hajj. The pilgrimage was opened only for the residents of Saudi Arabia.

Considering the gravity of the COVID-19 outbreak, both the ‘Umrah’ and ‘Hajj’ seemed impossible, however, Saudi Arabia handled the pandemic as well as pilgrimage amidst the pandemic quite efficiently. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had less mortality rates as compared to many other nations and also managed minimal social disruption. Meticulous management by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made it possible for Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage and took maximum precaution to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

COVID-19 Impact on Umrah : How the pandemic affected the pilgrimage in Makkah?

Hajj is believed as a way to wash your sins and get the mercy of Almighty Allah. It is also believed to unite the Muslims community. During Hajj and Umrah, Muslims are supposed to recite and perform prayers together, sit and eat together, and celebrate it with unity. Instead, the pandemic led to social distancing, which could not make it possible for people to come together for the pilgrimage. The pandemic led to the bifurcation of people into queues to avoid the overcrowding that existed before the pandemic. The number of people allowed at one time in the mosque was reduced to a very few ensuring that the social distancing is being followed. Additionally, face masks became mandatory for the visitors, and the people not wearing them had to bear the penalties. Police officers were on duty to note this and ensure that the guidelines were being followed.

The iftar meal (served when breaking the daylong fast) was also served in nicely sealed packages unlike previous years when pilgrims sat in lines to enjoy iftar together. The food was prepared with extreme hygiene and wellness. Moreover, the Zamzam water, considered holy water, was earlier collected from various watering points and made available in water bottles, while following social distancing and the government norms.

Suggested Read: The Grand Mosque To Drop Social Distancing For Pilgrims

Primarily, the authorities used to ask the foreign pilgrims for a negative RT-PCR test report which should be taken within 48 hours before arriving in Saudi Arabia. In addition, they are also supposed to be quarantined at a government-approved hotel for 6 days or can again take a RT-PCR test after 2 days of quarantine, and if the report is negative, they can leave the hotel.

The pilgrims who want to get entry in Haram, the Grand Mosque of Makkah, have to bring their vaccination certificates and show them in advance.

A university lecturer in Saudi Arabia, Egyptian pilgrim Aly Aboulnaga said, “I hope this is a successful hajj season. We ask God to accept everyone’s hajj and for the area to be open to greater numbers of pilgrims and for a return to an even better situation than before.”

With the advent of technology, mobile apps are also helping in tracking the updates of COVID-19 personal stats. Many apps can be used to keep your vaccination certificate, to track and warn if anyone affected with coronavirus is near you. If you want to gather for a social event, an app will give you the permit for the gathering. The app will also trace the positive people if present at the party.

There is another mobile app specially designed for people who want to enter Haram, named Eatmarna. The app helps pilgrims to book a time slot for granting access to the Grand Mosque. It was created by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure public safety and to avoid overcrowding.

Though it still can’t be predicted when the pandemic will end, the COVID-19 impact on Umrah and Hajj will be completely relaxed in the coming months, and Makkah will start hosting pilgrims from different areas of the globe. As per the reports, the new variants of COVID-19 are also approaching. Hence, following the guidelines and restrictions are important and mandatory for the betterment of the visitors.

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The current capacity is 70,000 a day for Umrah pilgrimage. The authorities are developing strategic plans to increase the number while ensuring the safety of the pilgrims. In the first milestone, the plan is to reach 120,000 pilgrims a day. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also started receiving applications from vaccinated pilgrims from around the globe since August 9, 2021.

The phase of ‘Safe Umrah’ started on October 4, 2020. According to the reports, the capacity of pilgrims then was 6,000 a day in the Grand Mosque. On October 18, they increased the count of pilgrims to 10,000 and worshippers to 40,000 a day. With the increasing count of COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia and other countries of the world, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is making efforts to return to normalcy. A visa issued by the authorities of the Kingdom covers worshipping in the Prophet Mohammad Mosque in Madinah, Grand Mosque in Makkah, and Al Rawda Al Sharifa in Madinah.

What is ‘Safe Umrah’?

Coronavirus is known to have a drastically increased rate of spreading during mass gathering. As more and more pilgrims perform Safe Umrah in the coming months, it is crucial for the authorities and pilgrims to follow safety measures during their travel. In compliance with safety authorities, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced the ‘Safe Umrah Model’ to prevent the spread of coronavirus when pilgrims gather in a mass. Keen on offering quality yet safe services, the ministry accepted applications of pilgrims and offered them precautions in terms of transportation, gathering in the holy mosques, and accommodation.

The Umrah pilgrims coming through the Gulf Cooperation Council have to register their COVID-19 vaccination status. The registration has to be done at the Muqeem portal, and that must happen 72 hours prior to their entry into Saudi Arabia. Assistant Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Eng. Hisham Saeed said that pilgrims aspiring to perform Umrah must download the Tawakkalna application on their mobile phones and book an appointment to obtain permits to perform the pilgrimage. The intending pilgrim can choose the timing to visit the Grand Mosque, Rawda Shareef, and Prophet Muhammad Mosque, he added.

Guidelines for pilgrims preforming Safe Umrah

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah guidelines, every overseas pilgrim must present an authorized certification for inoculation of COVID-19 vaccination. They must also present their Umrah request with the certificate. Vaccination is mandatory for every intending pilgrim to enter the Kingdom, use public transport, pray at mosques, and visit institutions. Pilgrims wishing to enter the holy mosques, Al-Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi, must follow the COVID-19 protocols set up by the Ministry.

According to the latest report of the World Health Organisation, Saudi Arabia has confirmed 546,735 cases of coronavirus, and 8,679 have been dead. The country has administered 41.325,560 vaccines to its citizens. The guidelines are to be reframed and updated from time to time as new strains of the virus are posing great threat. Hence, the authorities request the pilgrims to keep themselves updated with the latest guidelines. Further, support lines have been established to resolve the queries of any individual who wants to understand the guidelines and perform the pilgrimage.

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