عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Umrah Performers Has Noticeably Increased

Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Umrah Performers Has Noticeably Increased

Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat revealed on Monday that the Kingdom has witnessed a noticeable increase in the number of Umrah performers from abroad.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he also underlined the increase in the capacity at the two Holy Mosques – the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Umrah performers started flocking to the Kingdom a month and a half ago. Their numbers are expected to surpass previous seasons, especially after Saudi authorities worked tirelessly in facilitating travel to Umrah performers from across the globe.

Mashat told Asharq Al-Awsat that the greatest number of performers have arrived from Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Yemen and Bangladesh.

He predicted that the figures will only increase, crediting the ease of obtaining visas and communicating with service providers to the Nusuk platform.

Nusuk allows applicants to submit their Umrah application directly through the platform.

Mashat described the platform as the most remarkable digital and technical transformation that services the visitors of the two Holy Mosques.

It now acts as a comprehensive platform through which the visitors can plan their Umrah, starting from their visa application. It offers them several services that ensure that the performers have a smooth journey. It features interactive maps and a guide to historic locations.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is forging ahead in taking advantage of the digital transformation to serve the visitors, stressed Mashat.

Asked about the goal to attract 30 million Umrah performers, he said it can be achieved through a number of initiatives, such as extending the Umrah season, reducing visa processing times and facilitating arrival procedures.

He noted the Saudi Visa Bio app that allows travelers to upload their travel documents on to the platform before their arrival to the Kingdom. The app has so far been tested on visitors from Britain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Kuwait.

Mashat stressed that the Saudi leadership is very keen on serving the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. This has been demonstrated through the expansion of the Grand Mosque and holy sites, which were among the world’s grandest projects in terms of cost and area covered.

He highlighted the establishment of the Pilgrim Experience Program that includes all parties concerned with the organization of the Hajj and Umrah with the aim of hosting more visitors, providing high quality services and enriching their religious and cultural experience through visits to historic Islamic sites in Makkah and Madinah.

Moreover, Mashat highlighted the organization of the Umrah and how the new arrangements allowed the arrival of visitors through different visas, such as a family, personal or tourist visa, visa on arrival, and transit visa. Furthermore, the duration of the Umrah visa has been extended to 90 days and the condition for women to travel with a legal guardian (mahram) has been lifted.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Bahraini Speaker: Saudi Arabia Remains Main Pillar of Regional Security, Stability

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Bahraini Speaker: Saudi Arabia Remains Main Pillar of Regional Security, Stability

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Speaker of the Council of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam praised the deep-rooted history, strong fraternal ties, growing cooperation, and shared destiny that characterize Bahraini-Saudi relations, fostered by the leadership of both countries.

Marking Saudi National Day, Al-Musallam said the Council of Representatives is committed to strengthening parliamentary cooperation with the Saudi Shura Council and to continuous coordination in regional and international parliamentary forums, in the interests of both countries and in support of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), SPA reported.

He praised the comprehensive development Saudi Arabia is achieving across all sectors under Saudi Vision 2030, saying the Kingdom has become a global model for growth, economic transformation, youth empowerment, investment in human capital, and major future projects that benefit all of humanity.

Al-Musallam added that he takes great pride in Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in championing Gulf, Arab, Islamic, international, and humanitarian causes. He said the Kingdom has been and will remain the main pillar of regional security and stability, a voice of reason and wisdom in international forums, and a leader in relief and humanitarian work around the world.

Gulf

Saudi King Hails Forces Defending Kingdom, Condemns Houthi Attempts to Target Makkah

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing a Cabinet session in Jeddah - SPA
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing a Cabinet session in Jeddah - SPA
TT
TT

Saudi King Hails Forces Defending Kingdom, Condemns Houthi Attempts to Target Makkah

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing a Cabinet session in Jeddah - SPA
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing a Cabinet session in Jeddah - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held on Tuesday in Jeddah.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques praised and thanked Allah Almighty for the great blessings bestowed upon this country, and for the honor of serving the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and their visitors. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day tomorrow, the King expressed his wishes for further achievements and successes in the nation's journey of growth, progress, and leadership across all sectors, SPA reported.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques acknowledged the role of military and security personnel and their brave heroes in defending the homeland and firmly confronting any aggression against the holy sites, the pilgrims, and the Kingdom's citizens and residents.

He also condemned the terrorist Houthi militia's repeated attempt to target Makkah—an act met with widespread international condemnation and denunciation—emphasizing that this heinous crime, which violates the sanctity of the holy sites, provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

The Cabinet then reviewed the outcomes of the visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Arab Republic of Egypt, where discussions held with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi underscored the depth of bilateral relations, the shared desire to enhance cooperation, and the commitment to ongoing consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest to serve both peoples.

The Cabinet also reviewed the contents of a message HRH the Crown Prince received from King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan, as well as the details of a phone call he received from French President Emmanuel Macron, which addressed regional developments, efforts to bolster regional stability, and measures to safeguard the freedom and safety of maritime navigation and waterways.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet, upon its review of regional developments, emphasized the necessity of adhering to international law—specifically respect for state sovereignty, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the guarantee of safe navigation in international waterways—to safeguard the security of states, fulfill the aspirations of peoples, and protect international trade and global supply chains.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of several international conferences hosted by Saudi Arabia. It highlighted the recommendations issued by the ministerial meeting of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2026, which support international cooperation to ensure sound AI development, strengthen governance frameworks, regulate emerging technologies, and harness them safely and inclusively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Cabinet commended the success of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit, which saw the launch of more than 40 agreements and initiatives aimed at localizing knowledge and innovation, advancing the sector, achieving national strategic targets, and boosting the contribution of global research to pharmaceutical discoveries and future technologies. These efforts reinforce the Kingdom's leadership in initiatives serving human health as a top priority.

The Cabinet also noted the unveiling of the first models from the national automotive company, CEER, marking a new strategic milestone toward establishing an advanced, sustainable industrial ecosystem. This step empowers the sector as a vital engine of economic growth—attracting investments, supporting national talent, and expanding the private sector's developmental role—in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives and cementing the Kingdom's standing as a leading regional and global industrial hub.

Gulf

Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Meet on UNGA Sidelines

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
TT
TT

Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Meet on UNGA Sidelines

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The ministers of foreign affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Türkiye met in New York on September 21, 2026, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The ministers expressed deep concern over the continued humanitarian suffering in Gaza and called upon Israel to immediately fulfill its outstanding commitments under the First Phase of the Comprehensive Plan, including by ensuring the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and Early Recovery supplies, and facilitating the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure. They stressed the imperative of preserving the ceasefire and ending all violations, SPA reported.

The ministers stressed that the Road Map constitutes an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan and provides the implementation framework for advancing its Second Phase, including decommissioning alongside full Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), the assumption by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) of its responsibilities throughout the Gaza Strip, and the launch of Early Recovery and Reconstruction across Gaza. They called on all parties to fulfill their respective commitments in good faith and without delay.

The ministers reiterated their categorical rejection of any measures aimed at the expulsion or the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland or attempts to alter the territorial or demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They deplored in this context the illegal measures aimed at consolidating Israeli control and annexation, including the accelerating settlement expansion, land confiscation, demolition of Palestinian homes, settler violence and terrorism, and forced displacement, and called for their immediate reversal. They expressed grave concern over measures undermining the historical and legal Status Quo of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The ministers welcomed the recent measures taken by the United Kingdom, as well as broader national and European efforts, in response to illegal Israeli settlement activity, including measures to halt trade with illegal Israeli settlements and called for further effective measures to end settlement expansion and ensure accountability for settler violence.

They also emphasized that Gaza must remain an integral part of the Palestinian territory and reaffirmed that the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan must contribute to the reunification of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and to a credible and irreversible pathway towards the exercise of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the realization of a sovereign, viable, and independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, through the implementation of the two-state solution.

The ministers commended the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and underscored the indispensable role of the United States in ensuring the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. They called for sustained and active US engagement to ensure that all parties, including Israel, fulfill their commitments and obligations and overcome obstacles to implementing the Road Map. They stressed that tangible progress on the ground will strengthen the credibility of the Board of Peace and the authority of the plan and create deeply needed momentum.

The ministers reaffirmed their readiness to continue working collectively with the United States, the Board of Peace, the Palestinian Authority and all relevant parties to advance the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and its Road Map, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, fulfill their right to self-determination and independent statehood and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.