SAUDI to allow foreigners perform Umrah from November 1

Saudi Arabia will open the Umrah, lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, for Muslims from other countries from November 1, Saudi media reported on Thursday.

The news comes as the kingdom relaxes measures it had taken to check the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Umrah pilgrimage is allowed for Muslims from across the world,” Saudi state TV said, citing a statement from the Ministry of Pilgrimage.

The Saudi-owned, Dubai-based TV channel Al-Arabiya said Umrah would be allowed from November 1.

Umrah is a pilgrimage which can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to Hajj, which has specific dates, the last 10 days of the 12th month (Dhul-Hijjah) of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Saudi Arabia closed its borders in February to foreign Umrah pilgrims, and in March stopped its own citizens and residents from taking part.

In July, it allowed a limited number of domestic pilgrims to perform the Hajj.