News3 million expected to perform Umrah (pilgrimage) this month In addition to the 1,5million local pilgrims, Saudi Arabia is expected to receive 1,000,600 pilgrims from the rest of the world this month, Ramadan, to perform Umrah (smaller pilgrimage compared to Hajj). Umrah in Ramadan has a large amount of virtues according to Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). A Saudi Arabian newspaper reports that revenue for Saudi Umrah travel agents is projected at US $160 million. Travel agents from across the world are now forced by Saudi regulations to make some travel arrangements for the clients via Saudi agents. Tourism sources say that the number of pilgrims from both the Arab region and abroad have increased when compared to last year. Aside from the two holiest mosques in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, authorities have instructed the imams of all local mosques in the country to prepare for an increase of worshippers this season. They have been given guidelines about cleanliness, ablution facilities, water and power supply. Some mosques have placed temporary partitions to accommodate for females whilst others used this opportunity to replace carpeting and improve the interior. Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced last week that it would be operating additional flights to Jeddah to meet the needs of Umrah pilgrims. “Beginning September 18 and lasting until October 12, the carrier will provide 18 extra flights from Sharjah to Jeddah”. Routes destined for Sharjah have also increased, with, for example, four additional flights from Amman to Sharjah with convenient connections for Umrah thereafter. The average Umrah package from the United Kingdom totals approximately US$1000 whilst a Canadian pilgrim could pay around US$1500.
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