More than 1.8 million pilgrims from abroad were expected to perform Hajj this year, Hajj Minister Dr. Bandar bin Mohammad Al-Hajar announced recently. Speaking to reporters after visiting the headquarters of the Tawafa Organization for South Asian Pilgrims, Hajar said there was no plan to reduce the number of Umrah pilgrims for the mataf (circumambulation area around the Kaaba) expansion project. The minister said this year's was the most successful Umrah season. An estimated 5.5 million foreign pilgrims came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “We issued 5.8 million Umrah visas this year. Most of the 5.5 million pilgrims came for Umrah have already left the Kingdom. Only 10,000 pilgrims are now remaining in the country," he said in a press statement published today. He commended the efforts of all government departments for the success of the Umrah season.
