RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a significant rise in the number of Umrah pilgrims during the current season, reporting a 22.5 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.
In this regard, Pakistani pilgrims topped the list of international Umrah visitors, making Pakistan the leading source country for pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom.
The ministry stated that the current Umrah season officially commenced on 15 Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH, following the conclusion of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
During the first six weeks of the season, ending on 29 Muharram 1448 AH, more than 900,000 pilgrims performed Umrah, indicating strong global demand for religious travel to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In this sense, the official statistics revealed that approximately 200,000 pilgrims from Pakistan travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during the opening phase of the season.
However, Indonesia ranked second with around 170,000 pilgrims, while Iraq followed with nearly 130,000 pilgrims, making these three countries the largest contributors to Umrah arrivals so far.
The ministry further announced that the last date for Umrah pilgrims to depart from Saudi Arabia is 30 Shawwal 1448 AH (7 April 2027). Officials urged all intending pilgrims to complete their registration procedures, obtain valid visas, and ensure that all travel documents are in order before departure to avoid delays or complications during their journey.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating a smooth and organised pilgrimage experience through improved services and streamlined procedures for visitors from around the world.
Meanwhile, preparations for the next Hajj season are also underway in Pakistan. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, more than 340,000 people have completed online registration for the upcoming Hajj, with approximately 246,000 applicants opting for the government’s official Hajj scheme, indicating sustained public interest in performing the annual pilgrimage.
