Umrah firms are demanding an increase in the pilgrim quota during Ramadan from 500,000 to 1 million, to make up for last year's losses caused by the expansion of the Grand Mosque.

This was one of four recommendations approved by the National Haj and Umrah Committee at its annual meeting recently.

Abdullah bin Omar Qadi, deputy chairman of the committee, said the proposals would be sent to the Haj Ministry.

“We demand that the number of pilgrims during Ramadan be increased to 1 million because parts of the Mataf expansion area are now operational,” he said.

“It is fine to limit the number to 500,000 in Rajab and Shabaan but more pilgrims should be allowed during Ramadan because many Muslims wish to perform Umrah during this holy month,” he said.

Qadi said that another recommendation seeks an extension of the period for granting Umrah visas, from the last day of Shabaan to Ramadan 20. He said the five extra days would see an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 pilgrims enter the country.

The third recommendation urged the ministry to be more flexible with its requirement that all pilgrims should be listed on its database. He said this was difficult in certain cases, particularly with pilgrims who only receive their visas one day before departure.

The fourth recommendation calls on the ministry to produce and disseminate a written version of its regulations for Umrah companies, especially because there had been amendments introduced recently.

Qadi said about 6 million Umrah pilgrims are expected this year, a 10 to 15 percent increase compared to last year. He said the ministry has issued 3.5 million Umrah visas, with 2.8 million pilgrims already in the Kingdom.