Iraqi PM Performs Umrah during Visit to Saudi Arabia
According to INA.iq website, al-Kadhimi and a number of his accompanying delegation performed Umrah rituals on Sunday morning.
The office of the premier released photos of his participation in the rituals in the holy city of Mecca.
Al-Kadhimi had arrived in Jeddah on Saturday evening and was welcomed by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman.
Both Hajj and Umrah consist of a journey to Mecca 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 Mecca.
Another difference between the major and minor pilgrimages is that there is a prescribed time for Hajj, which is in the month of Dhul Hajja in the lunar Hijri calendar, whereas Umrah can be performed at any time in the year.
