Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.1 million Umrah visas

The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services and an outstanding experience. (SPA)
Updated 25 February 2019
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Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.1 million Umrah visas

  • The weekly data also included 8,430 males and 1,739 females working within Umrah companies and institutions

JEDDAH: The number of Umrah visas issued this year by Saudi Arabia has reached more than 4.1 million.
According to data provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the total figure for approved visas stands at 4,116,827, of which 3,672,648 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom. There are 439,785 pilgrims still in the country, with 302,263 of them in Makkah and 137,522 in Madinah.
Most pilgrims — 3,266,663 — traveled to the Kingdom by air, while 374,915 entered by land and 31,070 arrived by sea.
The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan (910,028), followed by Indonesia (596,970), India (391,087), Yemen (200,239), Malaysia (193,364), Egypt (189,496), Turkey (158,403), Algeria (127,563), and Bangladesh (93,760). 

The weekly data also included 8,430 males and 1,739 females working within Umrah companies and institutions.
Developing Hajj and Umrah organizations and services in the Kingdom is among the top priorities of the Saudi government. The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services and an outstanding experience.


Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

Updated 11 January 2026
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Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

  • It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content

TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.

The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.

It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.

Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.

The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.

Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.