ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MRA) said on Sunday it welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume the Umrah pilgrimage for international visitors, with nearly 10,000 foreign pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom today after a seven-month pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s a good step by Saudi Arabia,and it is a blessing for Muslims around the world,” Imran Siddiqui, MRA spokesperson, told Arab News.
According to Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Amr Al-Maddah, all foreign pilgrims must obtain a permit first, upon arrival, before moving to the Miqat sites where intending pilgrims change into their Ihrams.
They can stay in the Kingdom for up to 10 days, three of which are in isolation.
As per protocol, 500 groups of international pilgrims are dispersed throughout the day, each comprising 20 pilgrims. The maximum age limit for international pilgrims is set at 50.
“Ministry and people of Pakistan are happy over the resumption of the third phase of Umrah. We are thankful to Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the step taken by the Saudi government for the resumption of Umrah for international pilgrims,” Siddiqui said.
In February this year, Saudi Arabia had suspended Umrah as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
After easing its coronavirus restrictions, Saudi Arabia held a largely symbolic Hajj earlier this year – which was limited to domestic worshippers – allowing citizens and residents to perform Umrah at 30 percent capacity, or 6,000 pilgrims a day, subsequently increasing it to 75 percent or 15,000 pilgrims per day from October 18, 2020.
Last year, the pilgrimage drew 19 million visitors to Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan topping the list with more than 2.1 million Umrah pilgrims.
