MAKKAH: Eight million Umrah performers have participated in the sacred rituals so far during Ramadan, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ramadan symbolizes a month-long period during which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This observance, obligatory for all physically capable Muslims, fosters a focus on spirituality, prayer, and charitable acts.
In contrast to Hajj, Umrah is a pilgrimage that Muslims can undertake at any time of the year. While not mandatory, Umrah holds profound spiritual significance for practitioners.
During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Muslims, both local and international, converge at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia to engage in pilgrimage rituals and offer prayers. With the holy month in full swing, Madinah has transformed into a central hub for global visitors embarking on their spiritual journeys to Makkah.
Saudi authorities are committed to providing comprehensive services to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for worshipers. For many pilgrims, the journey begins in Madinah at the Mosque of Miqat Dhu Al-Hulayfah, where they perform two rak’ahs (prayer units) before proceeding to Makkah.
As of the latest update, a total of 8,235,680 Umrah performers have arrived from abroad since the season’s commencement. Among them, 7,259,504 have completed their Umrah, leaving approximately 976,176 visitors and Umrah performers presently in the country.
A report from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah sheds light on the preferred modes of travel for these pilgrims. Land travel emerges as the most popular choice, with 980,556 arrivals, followed by air with 700,983, and sea with 54,141 Umrah performers opting for this mode of transportation.
Meanwhile, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport has witnessed 1,919,971 arrivals and 1,437,849 departures, averaging daily movements of 6,579 arrivals and 5,613 departures of Umrah performers.
