RIYADH: More than 50 coaches carrying Umrah pilgrims free of charge from various dawa centers in Riyadh have left for Makkah.

The trips, for singles working in public and private sector establishments, are being arranged on a weekly basis as a service to those who cannot afford the pilgrimage.

Those interested are expected to register themselves at the centers on payment of a refundable deposit of SR100 to ensure their participation. The amount is returned when the pilgrim boards the coach for the pilgrimage.

Sheikh Ramzan Faris from the dawa center in Rawdah in Riyadh said that every Thursday, around 50 luxury coaches ferry pilgrims from Asian and Arab countries during Ramadan. He said that 20 buses left for umrah on Thursday from his center. “The beneficiaries are mainly singles from Asian and Arab countries. Accommodation, transport and iftar are provided to the pilgrims.”

During the journey, coaches stop for Maghrib and Isha prayers and dinner, and at meeqat in Taif for allowing the pilgrims to wear the ihram. Pilgrims are given 30 minutes to don the ihram so that the Fajr prayer can be offered in Makkah.

Local hotels in Madinah, in liaison with tour operators, arrange tours to historical sites such as the Quba Mosque, Qiblatain Mosque and the graveyard on the foothills of Mount Uhud.

Meanwhile, private groups who belong to Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu are offering umrah trips to families at modest rates. The cost of the trips is as follows: SR180 for a three-day tour to Makkah only and SR220 for a five-day pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah.

“We are making this arrangement since we want to give an opportunity to families to participate in the pilgrimage during the holy month,” Moulavi Ramzan said.