Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially announced the start of the Umrah season for certain countries. This means that Saudi residents and citizens, GCC nationals, and foreign residents in the GCC countries can now obtain permits through the Nusuk and Tawakkalna applications for Umrah.
The Ministry’s announcement follows the introduction of the electronic visa for Umrah, which can be acquired via the Nusuk platform. Pilgrims will be able to arrive for Umrah starting from the first day of the Islamic month Muharram of 1445 AH.
The main objective of the Ministry is to facilitate the arrival of Umrah performers and enable them to carry out their religious rituals with devotion and reverence.
The Saudi Arabian government recently successfully completed the Hajj operation and received appreciation from around the world. It was the first time after the pandemic that the kingdom hosted over 2 million pilgrims for Hajj, and no incidents were reported.
Now that the Hajj season has ended, thousands of pilgrims are returning to their hometowns, while some will stay in the kingdom for a few more weeks. During the Hajj season, the government had temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah permits, but now the Umrah season has commenced.
Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj, which is obligatory, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. It involves various rituals in and around the Grand Mosque, such as circling the Kaaba, running between the hills of Safa and Marwah, and cutting or shaving of hair. Umrah holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims, symbolizing devotion, humility, and seeking blessings from Allah.
