Madinah Hosts 3.7m Umrah Visitors, 30 Countries

Mekkah,  02 Rajab 1437/10 April 2016 (MINA) – The branch of the Ministry of Haj in Madinah registered the arrival of 3.778 million visitors since the beginning of Umrah season, while the number of visas issued by the Kingdom’s embassies totaled 4.363 million.

According to a report issued by the Ministry of Haj in Madinah on Thursday, 3,357,647 pilgrims arrived by air, while 399,506 pilgrims arrived by land and 21,719 pilgrims by sea. As for visas granted for Umrah, five states topped the list of most issued visas, Egypt coming in first with 23.68 percent, followed by Pakistan, 16.86 percent, Indonesia,12.48 percent, Turkey, 8.33 percent, and India, 7.49 percent.

The remaining visas were issued by other countries, bringing the total to about 30 countries.
The director of the Ministry of Haj’s branch in Madinah, Mohamed Al-Nejaoi, said the branch carried out 356 inspections on Umrah companies and service organizations to verify that they are providing quality services to pilgrims and visitors. Arab News  quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He said 162 offenses were reported, which were dealt with in a timely manner, while the total number of inspections on pilgrims’ housing was 988.
He added that counseling centers distributed throughout the central area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque began work at the start of the Umrah season and so far have provided services to 10,485 stranded pilgrims, and guidance to 5,980 others. (T/Imt/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)