The visiting pilgrim family from Sudan.

There is an unprecedented increase in the number of foreigners coming for Umrah this year. The increase may be attributed to the fact that there is a 20 percent reduction in the number of Haj pilgrims owing to the ongoing Haram expansion projects in Makkah.

Most wealthy pilgrims come with their wives and children for multiple enjoyment during the spiritual journey. Abdullah Adam, a Sudanese, is one of them who came to the Kingdom recently for Umrah with his family.

“The Umrah season has given the opportunity for many foreign pilgrims to come to the Kingdom with their families,” Adam told Arab News while thanking the Saudi government for facilitating their Umrah trip.

“I am very happy for having gotten the opportunity to visit the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah for the first time and with my family,” said Adam, who was very impressed by Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress.

He said his children were happy while performing tawaf or circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba and walking between the Safa and Marwa mountains, despite the presence of a huge crowd of worshippers.

Speaking about his prayers in Makkah and Madinah, Adam said: “I prayed to Allah to bring unity and solidarity among the Muslims all over the world and establish peace and stability in Muslim countries.”

He commended Saudi Arabia for carrying out massive expansion projects at the two holy mosques to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims. “The clock tower building adjacent to the Haram Mosque in Makkah is amazing,” he said.

Adam said his family and he had not faced any major problems during their Umrah trip. “The visit also helped my family to do shopping at the malls in Makkah and Madinah to purchase various needs including souvenirs,” he said.