Saudi Arabia to ensure enriching journey for Indian Haj, Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a series of "transformative" measures like quick visa processing, accessibility, logistical support and additional flights to ensure a more enriching experience for Indian pilgrims undertaking spiritual journey to Mecca, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said on Wednesday.In an interview to PTI, Al-Rabiah said the initiatives are specifically designed to provide Indian pilgrims with enhanced flexibility throughout their journey, particularly benefiting women embarking on independent Umrah trips.
The new steps like extension of the Umrah visa to 90 days and introduction of a four-day transit visa are tailored to accommodate the growing influx of Indian pilgrims."By promoting gender equality and cultivating a safer, more embracing environment, these changes collectively aim to ensure a more fulfilling and secure pilgrimage experience for all travellers," he said.Al-Rabiah, currently on a visit to India, held talks with Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday.
The minister said the aim of the new initiatives was to ensure "warmth and convenience" to the overall experience of the pilgrims."My first official visit to India as Minister of Haj and Umrah is important in our ongoing efforts to showcase Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to serving Umrah performers and visitors," he said.Millions of Muslims from across the world travel to Mecca every year to perform Haj as well as Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage.Highlighting steps to enrich the experience of the pilgrims, Al-Rabiah said the Saudi government allows Umrah participation for all individuals travelling to the country on various visa types, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the pilgrims experience programme, a fundamental component of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.
The minister anticipated a rise in the number of Indian Umrah pilgrims in the near future in view of the impactful initiatives introduced to enhance experiences of the pilgrims."These initiatives are designed to create a seamless and inviting environment for all individuals embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Two Holy Mosques and exploring the rich historical and cultural heritage of Islamic sites and diverse tourist attractions within the Kingdom," he said."Saudi Arabia's proactive measures encompass improvements in visa processing, airport facilities, and transportation networks tailored to accommodate the growing influx of Indian pilgrims.