LONDON, 19 June — The number of Umrah pilgrims coming in a year is expected to reach 10 million within the next five to seven years, according to Haj Minister Iyad Madani.
“Efforts are being made to meet this large increase in the number of pilgrims and provide them with necessary facilities,” Madani told a meeting at the Saudi Embassy here yesterday.
He said the Kingdom would allow any number of Umrah pilgrims under the new system enforced by the Haj Ministry. In the past, the number of Umrah pilgrims was between 1.5 million and 1.6 million annually.
“The new Umrah system was introduced after detailed studies. The new system will eliminate certain negative factors under the old system and solve many problems faced by the pilgrims,” the minister said. The new system allows longer periods of stay for the pilgrims to give them time to visit the historical places outside the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
“Now the Umrah pilgrims can come to the Kingdom through all entry points. Earlier it was restricted to the Jeddah port,” said the minister.
Madani said the Kingdom had no vested interest in introducing the new system. “Our only aim is to enhance the welfare of the guests of God,” he said, adding that the Saudi government had carried out gigantic projects in the service of pilgrims.
Referring to the problems faced by Umrah pilgrims in the past, the minister said most of them came to the Kingdom without reserving accommodation and making transportation arrangements.
Under the new system, a number of Saudi firms are licensed to provide various services to the pilgrims under the supervision of the Haj Ministry officials. These companies, he said, would look after the pilgrims from the time of their arrival until they leave the country.
The minister said the new system also allows transit passengers at any airport or entry points in the Kingdom to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah with the help of the specialized companies.
Madani answered questions raised by members of the audience regarding the new Umrah regulations.
Lord Nazir Ahmad, a British member of the parliament who commended the Kingdom’s services to pilgrims, he supported the new move.
