ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s “landmark” decision to allow millions of Umrah pilgrims to travel to other cities in the country, instead of being restricted to Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
“This is another gift from the Kingdom after Road to Makkah program,” Imran Siddiqui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs told Arab News, adding that Pakistan “welcomes this landmark decision by the Saudi government.”
The Saudi cabinet on Tuesday decided to allow Umrah pilgrims and visitors at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to move freely in the Kingdom outside the cities of Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, reported the Saudi Press Agency. “A royal decree has been prepared to this effect,” the SPA quoted the Kingdom’s acting media minister Issam bin Saeed as saying.
Siddiqui said that “now any Pakistani who travels to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah can avail this opportunity to meet their family members and friends living in different parts of Kingdom.”
“This will bring ease to Pakistani nationals who top the list of pilgrims performing Umrah,” he said, adding that “this year alone, more than 1.6 million Pakistanis performed Umrah.”
According to Saudi media reports, nearly eight million Muslims from across the world are expected to perform Umrah this year, with the latest development expected to add another feather to their cap.
Pakistan lauds Saudi decision to allow free movement of pilgrims
Pakistan lauds Saudi decision to allow free movement of pilgrims
- All pilgrims allowed to travel to different cities during their stay in the Kingdom
- Pakistanis top list of nationalities performing Umrah this year
