In a big announcement for Umrah pilgrims, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exempted pilgrims from Turkey from Covid-19 vaccination requirements. Now, even unvaccinated pilgrims from Turkey will be able to visit the Kingdom and offer prayers at the Holy Rawdah.

In a big announcement for Umrah pilgrims, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exempted pilgrims from Turkey from Covid-19 vaccination requirements. Now, even unvaccinated pilgrims from Turkey will be able to visit the Kingdom and offer prayers at the Holy Rawdah. While making this announcement, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah declared that the step was taken in order to facilitate the travel of Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. “The pilgrims from Turkey are also excluded from any requirements related to age limits,” Dr Al-Rabiah said. Saudi Arabia exempts Pilgrims from Vaccination requirements to serve Islam In order to further the goals of the kingdom's Vision 2030, Dr Al-Rabiah also stated that the government will open the door for holders of all types of visas from around the world to perform Umrah. This is part of the ongoing support and care that the custodian government of the Two Holy Mosques provides to serve Islam and Muslims. Saudi Arabia sets age requirement for Umrah Pilgrims Although children accompanied by parents are permitted to enter the Grand Mosque, which houses the Kaaba, the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah stated that children under the age of five are not permitted to do Umrah. According to the ministry, according to the Arabic daily Ajel, "the minimum age to book an umrah permission is five years, provided that the child is not afflicted with or has been in contact with a Coronavirus sufferer." How many people are expected to perform Umrah this year The Kingdom anticipates that more than 10 million Muslim pilgrims will participate in the current Umrah season, a prediction reminiscent of figures prior to the pandemic. Those with Hajj and Umrah visas will be able to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the international airports of Jeddah, Madinah, Yanbu, and Taif. Visitors from SAUDIA possessing Umrah and Hajj visas will only be admitted on flights run by national airlines via the international airports of Riyadh and Dammam, and they must continue their journey to the airports of Jeddah and Madinah by domestic flights.

Saudi Arabia Umrah Travel Update: Government lifts Covid restrictions, sets new age requirements for pilgrims

Saudi authorities said Monday only people immunised against Covid-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims.

The hajj and umrah ministry said in a statement that three categories of people would be considered "immunised" -- those who have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and people who have recovered from the infection.

Only those people will be eligible for permits to perform umrah, as well as to attend prayers in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

It added that the condition also applies for entry into the Prophet's Mosque in the holy city of Medina.

The ministry said the policy starts with Ramadan, which is due to begin later this month, but it was unclear how long it would last.

It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would be extended to the annual hajj pilgrimage later this year.

Saudi Arabia has reported more than 393,000 coronavirus infections and 6,700 deaths from COVID-19.

The kingdom's health ministry said it has administered more than five million coronavirus vaccines, in a country with a population of over 34 million.

Last month, King Salman replaced the hajj minister, months after the kingdom hosted the smallest hajj in modern history due to the pandemic.

Mohammad Benten was relieved from his post and replaced by Essam bin Saeed, according to a royal decree published by official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The kingdom hosted the hajj in late July last year.

Only 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims from around the world who participated in 2019.

It is unclear how many pilgrims will be allowed for hajj this year.

According to the pro-government Okaz newspaper, only vaccinated pilgrims will likely be permitted this year.

In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months and partially resumed the umrah pilgrimage.

The umrah usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year.

Authorities said the umrah will be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated. 
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Saudi authorities said Monday only people immunised against Covid-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims.

Saudi authorities said Monday only people immunised against Covid-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims. The hajj and umrah ministry said in a statement that three categories of people would be considered "immunised" -- those who have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and people who have recovered from the infection. Only those people will be eligible for permits to perform umrah, as well as to attend prayers in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. It added that the condition also applies for entry into the Prophet's Mosque in the holy city of Medina. The ministry said the policy starts with Ramadan, which is due to begin later this month, but it was unclear how long it would last. It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would be extended to the annual hajj pilgrimage later this year. Saudi Arabia has reported more than 393,000 coronavirus infections and 6,700 deaths from COVID-19. The kingdom's health ministry said it has administered more than five million coronavirus vaccines, in a country with a population of over 34 million. Last month, King Salman replaced the hajj minister, months after the kingdom hosted the smallest hajj in modern history due to the pandemic. Mohammad Benten was relieved from his post and replaced by Essam bin Saeed, according to a royal decree published by official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The kingdom hosted the hajj in late July last year. Only 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims from around the world who participated in 2019. It is unclear how many pilgrims will be allowed for hajj this year. According to the pro-government Okaz newspaper, only vaccinated pilgrims will likely be permitted this year. In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months and partially resumed the umrah pilgrimage. The umrah usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year. Authorities said the umrah will be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.

Saudi Arabia to allow only 'immunised' pilgrims to Mecca

Saudi Arabia allows worshippers from foreign&nbsp;countries to perform the&nbsp;Umrah&nbsp;pilgrimage in Mecca starting on Sunday (November 1) as the kingdom relaxes measures it had taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

According to&nbsp;Amr Al-Maddah, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, ''The pilgrims must isolate for three days after arrival before being transported to religious sites.''

Al-Maddah said the testing of pilgrims,&nbsp;who are all 50 years old or younger,&nbsp;for COVID-19 will be continuous and any cases detected will be closely monitored.

The revered Black Stone&nbsp;in the Kaaba,&nbsp;which is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage,&nbsp;will be out of reach.

The Grand Mosque is to be sterilised before and after each group of worshippers. Thermal sensors have been installed to measure the body temperature of pilgrims, Mecca authorities said.

Umrah&nbsp;is a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to Hajj, which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

The Umrah&nbsp;usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year. Authorities said the Umrah&nbsp;will be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.

Saudi Arabia closed its borders in February to foreign&nbsp;Umrah&nbsp;pilgrims, and in March stopped its own citizens and residents from taking part. In July, it allowed a limited number of domestic pilgrims to perform the Hajj.

Saudi Arabia allows worshippers from foreign countries to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca starting on Sunday (November 1) as the kingdom relaxes measures it had taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia allows worshippers from foreign countries to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca starting on Sunday (November 1) as the kingdom relaxes measures it had taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus. According to Amr Al-Maddah, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, ''The pilgrims must isolate for three days after arrival before being transported to religious sites.'' Al-Maddah said the testing of pilgrims, who are all 50 years old or younger, for COVID-19 will be continuous and any cases detected will be closely monitored. The revered Black Stone in the Kaaba, which is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage, will be out of reach. The Grand Mosque is to be sterilised before and after each group of worshippers. Thermal sensors have been installed to measure the body temperature of pilgrims, Mecca authorities said. Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to Hajj, which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The Umrah usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year. Authorities said the Umrah will be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated. Saudi Arabia closed its borders in February to foreign Umrah pilgrims, and in March stopped its own citizens and residents from taking part. In July, it allowed a limited number of domestic pilgrims to perform the Hajj.

Saudi Arabia allows foreign pilgrims to enter for Umrah pilgrimage

The Saudi Arabia government has partially resumed Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year, with strict health precautions.

Saudi Arabia resumes Umrah pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced that it will allow&nbsp;pilgrims residing inside the country to undertake the Umrah&nbsp;pilgrimage beginning on October&nbsp;4.

The&nbsp;pilgrimage had been halted for the past seven months&nbsp;due to coronavirus concerns, state news agency SPA reported.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/disinfectants-masks-online-selection-hajj-2020-begins-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-316716">Disinfectants, masks, online selection: Hajj 2020 begins amid coronavirus pandemic</a>

Umrah&nbsp;is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina undertaken any time of the year, attracting 19 million people last year. Saudi Arabia had instituted a freeze on&nbsp;umrah&nbsp;in March.

It will now allow 6,000 citizens and residents inside the kingdom to perform&nbsp;umrah&nbsp;daily, representing 30 per cent&nbsp;of a revised capacity of 20,000 that takes into account precautionary health measures, SPA added. That will expand to 75&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of capacity on Octember&nbsp;18.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/lessons-gulf-states-have-learned-from-coronavirus-pandemic-301605">Lessons Gulf states have learned from coronavirus pandemic</a>

Beginning November&nbsp;1, Saudi Arabia will allow visitors from specific countries deemed safe to perform&nbsp;umrah&nbsp;at 100&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of the revised capacity, until the end of the pandemic, SPA said.

This year, Saudi Arabia conducted a limited haj, the larger pilgrimage that usually attracts around 3 million people, for a few thousand citizens and residents.

According the official data,&nbsp;haj and&nbsp;umrah&nbsp;earn the kingdom about $12 billion annually.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reported 330,798 total cases of coronavirus and 4,542 deaths, as cases in the Gulf region topped 800,000.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced that it will allow pilgrims residing inside the country to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage beginning on October 4. The pilgrimage had been halted for the past seven months due to coronavirus concerns, state news agency SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced that it will allow pilgrims residing inside the country to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage beginning on October 4. The pilgrimage had been halted for the past seven months due to coronavirus concerns, state news agency SPA reported. Also see: Disinfectants, masks, online selection: Hajj 2020 begins amid coronavirus pandemic Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina undertaken any time of the year, attracting 19 million people last year. Saudi Arabia had instituted a freeze on umrah in March. It will now allow 6,000 citizens and residents inside the kingdom to perform umrah daily, representing 30 per cent of a revised capacity of 20,000 that takes into account precautionary health measures, SPA added. That will expand to 75 per cent of capacity on Octember 18. Also read: Lessons Gulf states have learned from coronavirus pandemic Beginning November 1, Saudi Arabia will allow visitors from specific countries deemed safe to perform umrah at 100 per cent of the revised capacity, until the end of the pandemic, SPA said. This year, Saudi Arabia conducted a limited haj, the larger pilgrimage that usually attracts around 3 million people, for a few thousand citizens and residents. According the official data, haj and umrah earn the kingdom about $12 billion annually. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reported 330,798 total cases of coronavirus and 4,542 deaths, as cases in the Gulf region topped 800,000.

Saudi Arabia to gradually resume Umrah pilgrimage from October 4

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