Saudi Arabia Cancels Repeat Of Umrah In Ramadan

Information reaching the OsunReporters News confirmed that authority of Saudi Arabia has cancelled the permission to repeat Umrah or minor pilgrimage in Mecca during Ramadan to ease overcrowding.

According to Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, no permit is issued for performing two or more Umrahs in Ramadan, urging the faithful to make do with one lesser pilgrimage in the sacred month.

____The ministry explained that the restriction aims to ease congestion, give others the chance to undertake Umrah and help in crowd management, a Saudi newspaper reported.

According to Nusuk, a Saudi government platform facilitating Umrah procedures electronically, in case of trying to obtain a permit for a second Umrah by the same person, a message would appear reading: “The permit issuance fails. To give everyone the chance to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage can’t be repeated in Ramadan”.

Recall that 2024 Ramadan, which started last week, usually marks the peak season of Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site.

_____In Ramadan, Muslims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia would head in large numbers to the Grand Mosque to perform Umrah and offer prayers.

To cope with the expected influx, Saudi authorities have unveiled a series of measures to help worshippers perform rites smoothly and comfortably.

______The circumambulation courtyard of the mosque around the Holy Kaaba and the ground floor are designated for Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan.

Likewise, authorities have allocated certain gates of the sprawling mosques for pilgrims’ entry and exit to stave off overcrowding.

______In recent months, the kingdom has introduced a host of facilities for overseas Muslims to come to the country to perform Umrah.

Muslims holding different types of entry visas such as the personal, visit and tourism visas are allowed to undertake Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa, where the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is located at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina after booking an e-appointment.

______Saudi authorities have also extended the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90.