RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has approved the hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries as royal guests under a special program aimed at strengthening ties with Muslims around the world.
This scheme is a part of the Guest Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in which specially selected individuals are given an opportunity to perform Umrah through an invitation extended by the Saudi government.
It has been stated by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance that these invited pilgrims would arrive in various phases during the year. This scheme is to be executed in four phases in the Islamic Year 1448 AH.
It has been mentioned that this special quota will be allocated for those distinguished individuals who have been invited as royal guests by the Saudi government.
In the first phase, 250 pilgrims who undertake Umrah from 16 Asian countries will be visiting Saudi Arabia. These countries include Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, along with many other Asian countries.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support in implementing this initiative.
It shows that this is another step taken by Saudi Arabia to continue its tradition of service to Islam and Muslims. According to the ministry, this initiative will also help to improve relations with scholars, religious clerics, and personalities from the Muslim world.
