Since mid-July, Saudi Arabia has issued more than 126,000 visas to overseas Muslims planning to perform Umrah or lesser pilgrimages.
Three-month visas were issued to pilgrims from 124 countries.
Saudi officials said that Indonesia topped the list of countries from which Umrah pilgrims came during that time, followed by Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Azerbaijan.
The number of Umrah arrivals from around the world will increase in the coming months,” said Hani Al Omairi, a member of the Saudi National Committee for Hajj and Umrah.
In order to facilitate Umrah pilgrims and visitors to Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia recently launched a unified government platform.
Through nusuk.sa, Muslims who wish to undertake umrah or visit sacred sites can obtain the necessary visas, permits, and book related packages online.
Nusuk is one of the major developments since the issuance of Saudi Arabia's e-visa in 2019,” said Platform Supervisor-General Fahd bin Mohammad.
Saudi Arabia, Islam's birthplace, has recently introduced new facilities for Umrah rituals performed throughout the year, except during Hajj.
