Saudi Arabia Ready for More Umrah Pilgrims
Adnan Bin Muhammad Hariri, an official with the ministry, said companies that provide services to Umrah pilgrims are prepared to serve more pilgrims this year in coordination with the Hajj ministry, Al-Riyadh daily reported.
He also said that pilgrims will not have to pay visa issuance fees at Saudi embassies across the world.
Saudi Arabia had cut the Hajj and Umrah quotas because of construction around the Masjidil Haram in the holy city of Makkah.
Both Hajj and Umrah consist of a journey to Makkah that involves certain rituals such as ihram, circumambulating the Ka’bah, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, and shaving or cutting the hair. The above are the basic rituals of Umrah while Hajj has these and additional rituals, including spending days and nights in Arafah, Mina, and Muzdalifah - areas neighboring the city of Makkah. Another difference between the major and minor pilgrimages is that there is a prescribed time for Hajj whereas Umrah can be performed at any time in the year.
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