New regulations aim to increase the number of Umrah pilgrims to 1.25 million a month, leading to 10 million Umrah visas a year, according to Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar, who said the new plan would be applied in 1437H.

In the next four years — by 1440H — the total number of Umrah visas will reach 60 million.

The minister said he would meet with heads of Umrah companies to discuss the operational plan for the season. He stressed the importance of preparing all services for pilgrims in coordination with others government agencies, according to a media report.

“This high number of Umrah pilgrims will benefit from mega projects at the holy mosques,” he said.

Abdallah Tashkandi, a member of the Umrah and Haj Committee at the Makkah Chamber for Commerce and Industry, said the new regulation would have a positive impact on service providers, as the business will increase.

Speaking to Arab News, he said: “Haj and Umrah service companies suffered from the reduced number of Umrah pilgrims in the last few years due to the expansion projects at the Grand Mosque.”

Hajjar had said in September that this Haj season would see the last reduction in the number of pilgrims. “Starting from next Haj season, the number of pilgrims will increase to 5 million and then to 30 million in the coming five years,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Related articles across the web

• Yemeni Pilgrims Reached Makkah to Extensive Efforts
• 100,000 troops to secure this year's Haj
• 'She was happy to have completed her Umrah'
• Security authorities seize 534 counterfeit Haj visas
• Saudi Arabia: Death Toll In Hajj Stampede Passes 700
• 100 killed in Makkah stampede
• Haj stampede: 13 Indians among 310 killed, say unconfirmed reports
• Haj to go ahead despite deadly crane crash
• Pilgrims gather in Arafat at Haj climax
• The reward of Umrah performed in Ramadan