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The Latest Breaking News from Umrah

Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia halts Makkah entry, suspends Umrah visas and sets strict rules for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has implemented strict entry restrictions into Makkah ahead of Hajj 2026, suspending Umrah visas to manage crowds and ensure safety. Only those with valid Hajj permits or official work/residency documents will be allowed entry from April 13. This move aims to prevent overcrowding and unauthorized participation during the…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry unveils discount initiative for pilgrims via Nusuk Card

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the Nusuk Card initiative, offering pilgrims deals and discounts across various sectors like retail, transport, and hospitality. This official identification card enhances pilgrim experience by providing access to special offers and ensuring smoother movement throughout the holy sites, reflecting a commitment to…

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia umrah visa deadlines announced: Key dates for Pilgrims entry and exit, all you need to know

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced final deadlines for Umrah visas, entry, and stays, emphasizing Hajj requires a separate visa. The ministry met with Umrah companies to discuss compliance for the upcoming Hajj season and praised their Ramadan efforts. Preparations for the Umrah and Visit Forum 2026…

The Times of India

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War in the Middle East ensnares many Muslim pilgrims in travel chaos

The travel chaos from the war in the Middle East has ensnared many of the Muslims who have converged on Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, leaving them stranded and scrambling to find other ways home

The Independent UK

Planning umrah? Saudi Arabia launches visit guide for global pilgrims in 16 languages

Pilgrims undertaking Umrah now have a comprehensive, 16-language guide from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This resource simplifies rituals, clarifies visa and permit requirements, and details movement within holy sites. It covers the entire journey from preparation to departure, enhancing awareness and ensuring a smoother, more peaceful spiritual experience…

The Times of India

Explained: Saudi Arabia's new 90-day health insurance policy for overseas Hajj, Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is enhancing healthcare coverage for millions of Muslim pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah. The new policy offers emergency health coverage for up to 90 days, including urgent medical treatment, hospitalisation and accident injuries. This initiative aims to ensure pilgrims' safety and peace of mind during their spiritual journeys.

The Times of India

Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to begin issuing Hajj 2026 visas from Sunday

Saudi Arabia has launched visa processing for the 2026 Hajj season, nearly four months ahead of schedule. This proactive measure, part of Vision 2030, aims to enhance service readiness, improve pilgrim comfort, and streamline logistics. Contracts for holy site services and Makkah accommodations are finalized, with significant pilgrim registration already…

The Times of India

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Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah suspends 1,800 foreign travel agencies for poor service

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah suspended 1,800 foreign travel agencies due to service quality and compliance issues. Pilgrims with existing visas are unaffected but agencies have 10 days to rectify problems or face further action. This move aims to enhance the Umrah sector's reliability and protect pilgrim rights.

The Times of India

What and when is Hajj? An illustrated guide, answers to 10 common questions

An estimated 1.8 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which begins on June 4.

Al Jazeera

Pakistan imposes travel restrictions on first-time flyers

Immigration officials at airports are thoroughly verifying passenger documents and conducting interviews to ascertain their travel intentions and financial preparations. Read further on Dynamite News:

Dynamite News

Air travel plans, summer tourism take a hit as temperatures soar, elections due in April

There has been a shift in travel plans thanks to the unusual temperatures and the upcoming General elections. Bitten by the poll bug, a good number of expatriates have chosen to fly home rather than bring their families abroad for the summer vacation; while many pilgrims set to visit Mecca…

The Hindu

How Mecca is the lynchpin for Saudi Arabia's hospitality and tourism drive

Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into the holy city of Mecca to meet its ambitious economic targets, with high-end hotels, apartment blocks, retailers and restaurants planned for areas around the Grand Mosque

The Independent UK

Asim Riaz goes for Umrah with brother Umar Riaz for the second time in the holy month of Ramadan; gets spotted at the airport

Asim Riaz was spotted at the airport early this morning (April 9) as he left for Mecca for his second Umrah in the holy month of Ramadan. This time around his brother Umar Riaz was seen accompanying him.

The Times of India

Deputy Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Hajj Pilgrims Will Match Figures Reached 4 Years Ago

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah al-Mashat predicted that this year’s Hajj will attract the same number of pilgrims as four years ago. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said over 2.4 million pilgrims performed the Hajj four years ago. Breaking down the figure, he revealed that…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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The Times of India

No Mercedes: Nikhat Zareen wants to send her parents to perform Umrah with World Championship money

NEW DELHI: Contrary to her earlier plans of buying a Mercedes, newly-crowned two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen now wants to send her parents to perform 'Umrah' with the prize money.

Asharq Al-Awsat

The Prophet’s Mosque Serves Visitors 300,000 Iftar Meals Daily

Every year, catering companies in Madinah prepare to serve the Ramadan Iftar banquets in the Prophet’s Mosque, providing daily about 300,000 meals for visitors and Umrah performers. Iftar meals are served inside the Prophet’s Mosque and the squares surrounding the space.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Welcomes 33,000 Iraqi Pilgrims

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Lifts COVID Vaccine Requirement for Turkish Umrah Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday it was lifting the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for Umrah pilgrims from Türkiye as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to ease the process for would-be pilgrims. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr.

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The Independent UK

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan spotted in Mecca for pilgrimage

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year

Daily Mirror

Man arrested in Saudi Arabia after dedicating his Mecca pilgrimage to the late Queen

The Yemeni national broke Saudi Arabia's strict religious laws by pledging his Umrah pilgrimage to the memory of Queen Elizabeth II and holding a banner in her memory

Asharq Al-Awsat

Jadidat Arar Crossing Starts Receiving Umrah Pilgrims from Iraq

The Pilgrims’ City at Abu Ajram in Saudi Arabia has begun receiving Iraqi Umrah pilgrims who entered the Kingdom through the northern Jadidat Arar border crossing. The first group of pilgrims arrived safely after going through easy and accessible procedures as Saudi Arabia continues to work to provide high-quality services…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Allows All Types of Visa Holders to Perform Umrah

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said Saturday it has made it possible for holders of all types of visas and those coming from all countries for the purpose of tourism and visits to perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom. The ministry stated that those who qualify…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Issues 900,000 Umrah Permits, Visas

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Hajj Minister Abdulfattah Mashat has confirmed that there are no restrictions on the number of people allowed to perform Umrah from outside the Kingdom.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Indonesian VP to Asharq Al-Awsat: We will Invite Russia, Ukraine Presidents to G20 Summit

Indonesian Vice President Maaruf Amin stressed that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict creates geopolitical division, slows global economic development, and increases the prices of essential commodities. Indonesia is one of the G20 countries and the group's president for 2022.

Al Jazeera

Hajj booking system changes leave many Muslims disappointed

Many Muslims from Western countries miss out as Saudi Arabia’s Hajj authorities move pilgrimage bookings online.

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