Haj Ministry and Civil Defense officials are asking Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom to perform Umrah only once during Ramadan to give others, especially the elderly and physically weak, a chance to do their pilgrimage with ease.

A high-ranking official at the Haj Ministry has advised Saudis and expats to perform Umrah only once during Ramadan to give others a chance to do it with ease. Civil Defense has sent text messages to Saudis and expats urging them not to perform Umrah more than once.

Hussein Al-Sharif, undersecretary at the Haj Ministry, said efforts to reduce the number of pilgrims are only temporary until Grand Mosque expansion projects are complete.

“We are trying to put a cap on the number of pilgrims in their own interest and safety pending construction efforts, especially since there are many elderly pilgrims and children.”

Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, head of the grand scholars committee, had openly supported the decision to reduce the number of Umrah visitors and pilgrims during the peak Ramadan and Haj seasons.

A number of Shariah specialists have also supported the decision, saying it would benefit Grand Mosque and Prophet Mosque visitors.

Makkah has become a large workshop, with cranes dotting the landscape as expansion efforts go ahead.

Once complete, the area for circumambulation will accommodate 130,000 worshippers as opposed to the previous 30,000 limit.

 
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