Saudi Arabia issues new guidelines for Umrah pilgrims in the last 10 days of Ramadan

• Sulaiman
• . April 11, 2023
• . Update: April 11, 2023 7:49 pm
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The Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued new guidelines for the safety and security of Umrah pilgrims in Mecca and worshippers in Medina during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the guidelines will help pilgrims easily perform their rituals during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, observed by Muslims across the world.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has strengthened its preparations in order to help pilgrims in the Kingdom.

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New guidelines for pilgrims

• Pilgrims can commute by bus from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, a Saudi Arabian port city on the Red Sea. They can also take buses from the car park in Mecca to reach the Grand Mosque.
• Pilgrims can use taxis and trains from Al Haramain Station from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Al Rusaifa Station in Mecca.
• Pilgrims can walk if they are living adjacent to the Grand Mosque. They can also use a private car to reach the Grand Mosque. However, it must be driven by non-Umrah pilgrims.
• The General Syndicate of Cars, the first and the only official authority that supervises the organisation of transport companies in the Kingdom, also offers a free public transportation service at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
• Umrah pilgrims must abide by the instructions set by the security services inside the Grand Mosque.
• The green light on the main gates indicates that pilgrims can enter from that gate. The red light indicates that entry is prohibited because the sites are full.
• No one is allowed to collect donations in the Grand Mosque. Pilgrims cannot smoke, beg or engage in commercial activities.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced the Eid al-Fitr holidays from April 20.