Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar said on Sunday the number of Umrah visas issued by the ministry has reached 1.6 million since the beginning of the Umrah season on Dec. 15. This is at an average rate of 400,000 Umrah pilgrims a month. Hajjar said during the holy month of Ramadan, Umrah pilgrims will reach record figures compared to last year, nearly 1 million. The number of Umrah pilgrims will reach an all-time peak of 6 million by the end of the season, he said. Hajjar praised the mataf (circumambulation area) expansion projects that will accommodate more Umrah pilgrims during the current season. He said all staff at the ministry and related authorities have been kept on alert in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The main aim was to monitor services being provided to pilgrims arriving in Makkah to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, he said. Hajjar said he expects Umrah pilgrims this year to exceed last year's figure by 500,000. The increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims every year is between 10 and 20 percent, he claimed. The minister said the organization of a meeting for representatives of Haj affairs offices of over 70 countries is part of directives to all government authorities to make early preparations for the Haj season this year.
