About 2.84 million pilgrims have come for the lesser pilgrimage so far this year, said a report issued by the ministry. It said Saudi missions abroad have reported issuing 3.6 million Umrah visas during the period.
According to the report, Iranians make up nearly 21 percent of Umrah visa recipients. Egyptians, with 14.53 percent, occupied second place and Turks third with 9.99 percent.
The report said, 246,754 pilgrims from a number of nationalities were still in the Kingdom to complete their Umrah rituals and visit Madinah to pray at the Prophet's Mosque.
Officials of Umrah service companies have been skeptical about the success of current season as many would-be pilgrims were not able to travel due to political unrest in some Arab countries. They are, however, optimistic now that the number may cross the figure of four million pilgrims last year. The number of Umrah pilgrims is expected to swell further during Ramadan as many Muslims are keen to perform the pilgrimage during the holy month.
