The number of Umrah pilgrims increased by millions

There has been a record increase in the number of people performing Umrah by several lakhs and in 2023, 1 crore 35 lakh 50 thousand children of Tawheed have achieved the happiness of Umrah. According to the Arab media, the Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiyyah, has said that due to the increase in facilities, the number of Umrah pilgrims has reached 1.35 million 50 thousand with a record increase of 58 percent, or about 5 million people, in 2023. This is the highest number of visitors ever on an annual basis, previously in 2019, 8.55 million pilgrims came from abroad.

In his speech at the opening of the Hajj and Umrah Conference, he said that more than 200 new measures have been taken to facilitate the arrival of Umrah pilgrims, foreigners residing in all Gulf countries are encouraged to come to Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah. Visa facility has been provided, while 617,000 pilgrims from 8 countries have benefited from the Makkah route project so far, more than 35 companies will provide services to pilgrims for Hajj 2024.

Dr. Tawfiq al-Rabiyyah said that we have increased the number of direct flights with partners in the transport sector, previously there were flights from 164 airports, now their number has increased by 32% to 216, in addition to Saudi Arabia. It is developing historical places in a modern way, in this regard, work has been completed on 10 new historical places, 12 historical places are being developed on modern lines and 18 such places have been prepared. It will increase the information of the visitors.

He said that Umrah conference and exhibition will be held in Medina this year, in which ministers and officials of more than 80 countries will participate. More than 5 billion Riyal projects have been introduced to establish new infrastructure in Arafat, last year more than 40 thousand personnel providing Hajj and Umrah services were trained and this year more than 120 thousand personnel were trained. to be continued.

The Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah says that an awareness center is being established with the support of the Awqaf Department, the aim of which is to raise the quality of awareness among the pilgrims. There are no missions, the Ministry facilitated 67 countries through the Hajj portal last year, this year it has expanded its scope and 126 countries will be provided direct quality services at low cost.