Cairo: The government of Saudi Arabia urged Muslims to limit themselves to one Umrah or lesser pilgrimage during Ramadan in order to ease overcrowding.

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, they stop themselves to one Umrah in Ramadan; it is common that this is a peak month of the ritual, curbs jostling and allow other Muslim fellows a chance to undertake their Umrah.

“Altruism has characteristics such as increasing interpersonal amicability and collaboration. “A form of this excellent behaviour is satisfaction with one Umrah during these holy days,” the ministry said via Tweet.

Last week, an official report of Saudi Arabia disclosed that nearly 2 million people had performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca since Ramadan started on April 2.

Since the first of Ramadan, according to Osama bin Mansour, deputy head of the General Presidency for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques for Congregation Management, the ceremonies were carried out until the 10th day due to health concerns.

Moreover, the general Presidency has committed its full capacity to serve the Umrah pilgrims during this holy month of Ramadan and fully established the courtyard [around the holy Kabba for them to undertake the circumambulation ritual,” he added.

And Saudi administration has recently eased the restrictions for performing Umrah as the kingdom has relaxed mainly rules against COVID-19.

The ministry rescinded several precautionary measures, including the revocation of licences to worship at the Grand Mosque and visit the Prophet’s Mohammed Mosque in Medina.

According to the ministry, the immunisation check is compulsory to enter both holy sites that have been scrapped for all worshippers.

Moreover, the ministry has cancelled the once-obligatory registration of immunisation data for overseas Muslims to get an Umrah permit.

A mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test result to access both sacred places has been lifted.