Saudi Arabia Raises Capacity to Receive 100,000 Umrah Pilgrims Daily

Saudi authorities have raised the capacity at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah to receive 100,000 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims on a daily basis. (SPA)
Saudi authorities have raised the capacity at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah to receive 100,000 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims on a daily basis. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Raises Capacity to Receive 100,000 Umrah Pilgrims Daily

Saudi authorities have raised the capacity at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah to receive 100,000 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims on a daily basis. (SPA)
Saudi authorities have raised the capacity at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah to receive 100,000 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims on a daily basis. (SPA)

Saudi authorities have raised the capacity at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah to receive 100,000 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims on a daily basis.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Friday that the decision will be effective as of October 1.

Worshippers can register through the Tawakkalna app to sign up to perform the Umrah and prayers at the Grand Mosque.

The General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque ordered that the necessary social distancing signs be placed at the Grand Mosque in line with COVID-19 regulations. It ordered that lanes be set up for people with special needs also in line with social distancing rules.

Spokesman for the General President, Hani Haidar said efforts are underway to raise the capacity at the Grand Mosque even further.

The General Presidency has prepared the ideal environment and comprehensive plans of services, procedures and precautionary and preventive measures to receive worshippers and Umrah pilgrims, he stressed.



How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
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How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)

Following the global economic crisis of 1973 and its aftermath, Saudi Arabia provided a $50 million grant to the World Food Program (WFP) between 1975 and 1976 to support its food aid projects for those affected by the crisis.
This contribution marked the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s long-standing role as a generous supporter of the WFP, a partnership that has spanned half a century.
This historical support underscores Saudi Arabia's continued efforts to combat global hunger, a challenge that now impacts 343 million people worldwide.
Saudi support on the international stage has been extensive, either through direct assistance or coordination with the WFP, reaching numerous countries and continents. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the WFP has been regarded by observers as a key model in the fight against hunger.
Recently, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating hunger by signing a new five-year cooperation agreement between the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the WFP, paving the way for a new chapter of potential projects.
The joint cooperation program adopts a multi-faceted approach to address humanitarian challenges in emergencies, capacity building, disaster risk reduction, and logistics.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian support plays a valuable role in WFP’s efforts to stop hunger and malnutrition in their tracks. As we look to the future, we are pleased to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening and expanding this partnership to reach even more people in need,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
The partnership has spanned five decades, with one of its most notable milestones occurring during the global financial crisis of 2008.
At that time, Saudi Arabia announced a historic and generous $500 million grant to WFP to help continue its relief projects and provide food to millions affected by rising food prices.
In 2014, Saudi Arabia also contributed over $200 million to supply food for displaced families in Iraq, as well as refugees from Syria in neighboring countries, and those from South Sudan and Somalia.