`Labaik Allahuma Labaik’: Over one lakh Umrah pilgrims arrive in Saudi since beginning of new Islamic year

RIYADH: Over 100,000 Umrah pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the Islamic new year on July 30, Saudi Press Agency reported.

As of Aug.29, 101,109 pilgrims had arrived in the holy city with 5,452 arriving on Sunday at Madinah airport.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that a total of 268,529 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom via air since July 30, and 29,689 by land.

Indonesians made up the majority of pilgrims with 127,789 performing Umrah since July 30, followed by 90,253 pilgrims from Pakistan, 54,287 from India, 36,457 from Iraq, 22,224 from Yemen, and 12,959 from Jordan.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques makes great efforts to develop the services provided to Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque, SPA said.

Saudi Arabia is bracing up to host over 10 million Muslim pilgrims in the new Umrah season.

“It is expected that over 10 million Umrah pilgrims will enter [the kingdom] in the Hejira year 1444 and they will enjoy constant care from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” Hani Al Omari, a member of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah was quoted by the Gulf News earlier.

The companies inside Saudi Arabia and overseas agents have been readied for serving Umrah pilgrims in the new season, applications for which were opened on July 14.

In October 2020, Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah after a suspension of nearly seven months due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.