Hajj and Umrah (Minor Pilgrimage) seasons have been witnessing continual increase in the number of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of Prophet's Mosque over the last 75 years (1350 H-1426 H), thanks to capabilities, services and means which have been provided by the Kingdom to enable them perform their rituals easily and comfortably. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported numbers of pilgrims coming from abroad according to statistics annually issued by the General Directorate of Passports. The number of pilgrims was less than 100,000 until 1369H. Then, it doubled in 1374H. For ten years, the number ranged between less or more until it reached more than 400,000 pilgrims in 1389H., increased to 645,000 pilgrims in 1392H and jumped to 918,000 pilgrims in 1394H, 1,005,060 pilgrims in 1403H and 1,043,374 in 1415H. In 1419H, the number reached a record of 1,704,852 pilgrims, the highest one since 1350H. In this year's Hajj season, the number reached 1,557,447 pilgrims.
