The Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Abdulfattah Mashat revealed that as per their estimation, nearly 400,000 pilgrims are expected to perform the Umrah during their holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is going to start from April early month.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, he stated: “The Umrah is open for all, and also there is no restriction to how many travellers will come from outside Saudi Arabia. The daily number will be examined according to the capacity at the Grand Mosque.”
Furthermore, he added that as the Kingdom gradually eased all the COVID-19 related restrictions, it is also expected that the number of Umrah pilgrims began to rise. It is now going to welcome hundreds of thousands of pilgrims per day.
Mashat said that the lifting of restrictions was carefully considered and the pandemic situation in the Kingdom is reassuring. He noted that the high vaccination rate is necessary at all levels of health services.
Moreover, they also highlighted the eat manna app that was made by the health ministry that has facilitated official processes for pilgrims from around the world.
However, there is no limit made by the administration of Saudi Arabia on how many pilgrims are allowed o enter the country. He highlighted that anyone could perform Umrah and all are welcome in the Kingdom.
When the media house asked him about how many Hajj pilgrims are supposed to perform the holy journey this year, on which he answered it is too soon to tell.
He explained that the health ministry was still considering the development of the pandemic and its impact.
Mashat spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Conference and Exhibition of Hajj and Umrah Services, “Transformation towards Innovation”. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah organizes the event in cooperation with the Day of Al-Rahman Program, one of the executive programs of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah region, kicked off the event at the Jeddah Superdome. Ministers from over 20 countries were present at the opening.