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Saudi Arabia Prepares for Third Phase of Umrah Pilgrimage

Umrah pilgrims are seen at the holy Kaaba in Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims are seen at the holy Kaaba in Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Prepares for Third Phase of Umrah Pilgrimage

Umrah pilgrims are seen at the holy Kaaba in Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims are seen at the holy Kaaba in Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Benten said that the Kingdom welcomes all Muslims coming from abroad to perform the Umrah as authorities kick off the third phase of the resumption of the pilgrimage amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia has been gradually allowing Umrah pilgrims to resume the rituals, introducing a three-phase plan that adheres to health protocols to ensure their safety throughout their holy journey.

The Kingdom has allowed citizens and residents to start performing Umrah as of Oct.4 at 30 percent capacity, or 6,000 pilgrims a day. It will open for Muslims from abroad starting Nov. 1. The second phase kicked off on Sunday. No virus cases have been reported among the pilgrims.

Benten said that opening the Umrah to foreigners will be the world’s largest event amid the pandemic.

He added that a mobile phone app, “Eatmarna”, will be dedicated to the pilgrims coming from abroad. Each arrival will be tested for the coronavirus and then they will be transported in batches to the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. They will have separate lanes to follow and dedicated locations where they will perform the rituals.

Companies that fly in the Umrah pilgrims from their own countries will be held responsible for ensuring that they implement all health precautions, said Benten.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is coordinating its efforts with the Health Ministry in implementing the third phase of the Umrah.

Benten said the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna apps have greatly helped in monitoring the pilgrims and ensuring their safety within Saudi territories.

He said authorities are closely monitoring the pilgrims before their arrival at the Grand Mosque and they will be followed up even after they complete the Umrah. The minister also hailed the awareness of the pilgrims themselves and their great adherence to the health guidelines, which helped avoid any outbreak.

Head of the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said that no virus cases have been reported among the pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia has received praise from home and abroad for its successful organization and health precautions, he added.

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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role as a Trusted Global Mediator

US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role as a Trusted Global Mediator

US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is redefining its role in global diplomacy, positioning itself as a trusted mediator and a neutral platform for sensitive negotiations between regional and international powers.
Committed to neutrality and balance in global conflicts, the kingdom is emerging as a key venue for dialogue among adversaries.
Analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that Riyadh's mediation efforts come amid escalating tensions between major powers, particularly in Europe since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war nearly three years ago, alongside Western attempts to counter the influence of China and Russia.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s personal ties with world leaders, along with the respect he commands, have bolstered the kingdom’s influence on the global stage and reinforced international confidence in Saudi leadership and its diplomatic mediation, analysts say.
Saudi diplomacy continues to step up mediation efforts, seeking to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and foster dialogue to pave the way for lasting peace, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.
On February 19, Riyadh hosted high-level diplomacy as US and Russian foreign ministers held their first meeting since the Ukraine war erupted in February 2022.
The talks resulted in a significant diplomatic breakthrough, with both sides agreeing to restore embassy staff and strengthen economic cooperation. They described the discussions as “productive” and “an important step forward.”
The meeting, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended by Prince Faisal and National Security Adviser Musaed Al-Aiban, was part of Saudi efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Moscow and promote global security and stability.
The escalation of conflicts among major powers—particularly in Europe since the outbreak of the Ukraine war—alongside intensifying trade disputes and efforts to contain China and Russia, has led the international community to seek neutral mediators, especially among regional states that have maintained balanced policies in global disputes, said Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager, head of the Gulf Research Center.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, bin Sager highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role as “a hub for international consensus and a venue for sensitive negotiations,” facilitating and supporting talks without directly participating or assuming responsibility for their outcomes. “The kingdom provides a platform for dialogue in good faith,” he said.
As the Saudi city of Jeddah prepares to host a high-level US-Ukraine meeting next Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in the kingdom on Monday for talks with Saudi leaders.
His visit is expected to help advance negotiations toward a new phase that could boost prospects for peace between Moscow and Kyiv.
Tensions loomed over a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House on February 28, where an on-camera dispute led to the cancellation of a joint press conference.
Zelensky left without securing an agreement on rare minerals, which Trump had demanded in exchange for continued US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Former US State Department military adviser Colonel Abbas Dahouk said Saudi Arabia has cemented its role as a key player in global diplomacy by balancing relations with major powers, including the United States, Russia, and China.
Despite lacking direct leverage in US-Ukraine relations, Riyadh can offer neutral ground for negotiations, Dahouk told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He added that the kingdom’s ability to engage with all parties—without the weight of deep historical entanglements—positions it as a potential mediator in peace talks or prisoner exchanges.
The US State Department confirmed that Secretary Marco Rubio will visit Saudi Arabia from March 10 to 12, where he is set to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. The visit underscores Riyadh’s growing role in bridging divides between conflicting parties.
According to bin Sager, Saudi Arabia’s central role in international mediation “strengthens its diplomatic standing and reinforces global confidence in its positions and efforts.”
“Historically, countries like Switzerland, Austria, and Finland held a near-exclusive role in international mediation,” bin Sager said.
“But today, they are entangled in conflicts in one way or another, creating a need for new powers to take on this role,” he added.
He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a trusted platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.
Riyadh has also been actively involved in mediation efforts in Sudan and Yemen, playing a key role in narrowing differences between warring factions and working toward reconciliation to establish peace and stability.
Saudi political analyst Dr. Khaled Al-Habbas said the kingdom has become a focal point for international diplomacy.
“Saudi Arabia is now a primary destination for nations seeking to resolve disputes, whether at the regional or global level, and transition from war to peace,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s rising diplomatic stature stems from the trust it has earned through its balanced approach to regional and international issues, as well as its commitment to maintaining neutrality in conflicts, Al-Habbas told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Saudi diplomacy has focused on strengthening international partnerships without bias, which has gained the kingdom widespread respect and confidence,” he said.
Al-Habbas noted that Riyadh’s growing regional and global influence, effectively leveraged in recent years, has reinforced its position on the world stage and deepened its ties with various nations.
“This active diplomatic presence has enhanced Saudi Arabia’s ability to mediate and broker compromises, as seen in the Sudanese peace talks and the recent rapprochement between Washington and Moscow,” he added.
According to US-based Newsweek, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an increasingly significant diplomatic force, not only in the Middle East but also on the global stage, including in Europe.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s personal relationships with world leaders, along with the respect he commands on the international stage, have reinforced the kingdom’s influence and global trust in its leadership, Al-Habbas affirmed.
“This has strengthened Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic weight and cemented confidence in its leadership and wisdom—a point underscored in recent remarks by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Al-Habbas added that the kingdom’s growing stature has made world leaders increasingly keen to coordinate with Saudi Arabia and seek its stance on key international issues, given its pivotal role in global politics.