Umrah Pilgrims to Isolate before Performing Rituals

Umrah pilgrims are seen in Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims are seen in Makkah. (SPA)
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Umrah Pilgrims to Isolate before Performing Rituals

Umrah pilgrims are seen in Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims are seen in Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat underscored the measures the Kingdom is taking to detect novel coronavirus cases among foreign Umrah pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia has been resuming the pilgrimage in stages since the beginning of October. 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. No virus cases have been reported among the pilgrims.

Mashat said the foreign pilgrims will go through a four-stage plan that tests for the virus from the moment they arrive on Saudi territories.

They will sit in medical isolation for three days before beginning the Umrah rituals, he added in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ten percent of hotel rooms have been dedicated to the pilgrims in isolation and with suspected virus infections.

The pilgrims will be allowed to perform the Umrah in batches, he went on to say. Each batch will include 3,300 worshipers and only one batch will be allowed at a time at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. Each batch will have three hours to perform the rituals.

All steps of the pilgrimage are being coordinated with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Health Ministry, Ministry of Interior and The General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.

Mashat stressed that Saudi Arabia welcomes pilgrims from throughout the world, but the pandemic has forced authorities to implement strict screening processes. The number of pilgrims coming from any certain country depends on the extent of the virus outbreak in the country.

Saudi Arabia is adopting all necessary health measures and precautions as the pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom, he added.

Priority will be given to pilgrims who do not suffer from any chronic illnesses and everyone will have to take a PCR test before flying to the Kingdom.

Should a suspected infection be detected after a pilgrim arrives to the Kingdom, then he will be treated before leaving the country.

The ultimate goal, continued Mashat, is for the pilgrims to have a smooth and safe Umrah. The precautions that have been adopted ensure that the pilgrims are protected even before they arrive in Saudi Arabia.

Sponsors of the pilgrims in their home country are responsible for providing all necessary documentation and Saudi authorities are responsible for the worshiper when he arrives in the Kingdom. Once he passes a Health Ministry assessment, he is allowed to move on to the holy sites.

Mashat highlighted the importance of the Eatmarna dedicated app that the pilgrim must follow to even before he flies to the Kingdom.



Saudi Arabia Backs Syrian Govt Measures to Restore Calm, Slams Israeli Attacks

An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Backs Syrian Govt Measures to Restore Calm, Slams Israeli Attacks

An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it was following the developments in Syria, expressing its “satisfaction” with the measures taken by the government to achieve security and stability, maintain civil peace, and achieve the sovereignty of the state and its institutions over all Syrian territory.

The measures will help in preserving Syria's unity and security and meeting the aspirations of the people.

The Kingdom condemned the continued blatant Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, interference in its internal affairs, and destabilization of its security and stability in flagrant violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.

The Kingdom renewed its call to the international community to stand by Syria, support it at this stage, and confront the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against it.