REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JEDDAH -- Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah Ministry announced that 15 Dhulqaidah will be the last day of expiration of the umrah visa for worshippers coming from outside the Kingdom.

“The extension of the expiration date of the umrah visa from 29 Dzulqaidah to 15 Dzulqadah is to smooth the flow of worshippers to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina from around the world for the annual Hajj pilgrimage,” the ministry said, as reported by the Saudi Gazette on Monday (15/4/2024).

The ministry also noted that the validity period of the three-month umroh visa will be considered to start from the date of its issuance, rather than the previously approved validity period from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia. The ministry clarified this in response to a number of questions raised through its X platform.

The Ministry explained that the validity period of the umrah visa is three months from the date of its issuance, with the provision that the validity period is no later than 15 Dhulqaidah, and that is in accordance with the coordination made between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This 15th Dhulqadah date was approved, two weeks (14 days) earlier than the previously announced expiry date of 29th Dhulqadah,” he said.

The month of Ramadan usually marks the peak season of umrah when Muslims from all over the world flock to the Masjid al-Haram. Therefore, the Royal Commission on the City of Makkah and the Holy Sites had to urge all Umrah worshippers not to force themselves to pray in the Masjid Haram. According to him, prayer in any mosque area, as long as it remains within the boundaries of the Masjid al-Haram, will be equally valuable.

“Performing prayers in all areas of the Masjid al-Haram is equally rewarding,” the commission said, as reported by the Saudi Gazette on Wednesday (20/3/2024).

This year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has also launched a smart golf car to help umrah pilgrims perform tawaaf rituals around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The initiative aims to assist individuals with special needs, the elderly, and individuals with physical disabilities in making the umroh pilgrimage easily and convincingly.

As in previous years, Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah Ministry also announced special worshippers in the month of Ramadan, worshippers who have already performed umrah are not allowed to repeat. The regulation is aimed at reducing overcrowding.

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