Rainy Umrah: Top Tips for a Safe Pilgrimage
Muslims who intend to perform Umrah or the lesser pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the coming days should prepare for rainy weather and take precautions to avoid accidents. Heavy rains have hit several regions of Saudi Arabia this week, forcing schools and other educational institutions to close.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued some tips for the pilgrims to ensure their safety while performing the Umrah rites at the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam.
The ministry advised women pilgrims to wear raincoats over their clothes and men pilgrims to avoid wearing socks that could make them slip on the wet floor.
The ministry also urged the pilgrims to be careful while performing the ritual of Tawaf, or the seven rounds of circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque. The pilgrims should take steady steps, avoid pushing or crowding, and follow the instructions of the security personnel. If the rain is too heavy, the pilgrims can complete the Tawaf indoors on the upper floors of the Grand Mosque.
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The ministry added that if a pilgrim feels unwell or suffers from any health problem during the Tawaf, he or she should stop immediately and seek medical help.
Saudi Arabia expects to receive about 10 million foreign Muslims who will perform Umrah during the current season that started in July 2023.
The kingdom has eased its COVID-19 restrictions and allowed pilgrims from abroad to enter the country after a long suspension due to the pandemic.
Source: Agencies
