Umrah season opens for new Islamic year, Saudi aims for around 30 pct increase in visas

Umrah season has started in Saudi Arabia for the new hijri year 1441, with pilgrims flying into Jeddah, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday.

Saudi’s ministry of haj and umrah last month said it aims to issue 10 million visas this year, up about 30 per cent from around 7.6 million in the 2018-19 season over the hijri year 1440. 

The Kingdom is aiming for 30 million umrah pilgrims by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s government in 2017 moved up the start of the umrah season by a month to Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

This year the Kingdom welcomed the first of Muharram on Saturday, August 31. 

The umrah season previously started in Safar, the second month of the hijri calendar.

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