RIYADH: The number of Umrah visas issued this year by Saudi Arabia has reached more than 4.33 million.
According to data provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the total figure for approved visas stands at 4,338,959, of which 3,892,554 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom. There are 443,560 pilgrims still in the country, with 304,897 of them in Makkah and 138,663 in Madinah.
Most pilgrims — 3,464,929 — traveled to the Kingdom by air, while 392,632 entered by land and 34,993 arrived by sea.
The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan (949,895), followed by Indonesia (633,253), India (408,495), Yemen (206,980), Egypt (204327), Malaysia (200,873), Turkey (183,164), Algeria (138,092), and Bangladesh (99,629).
The weekly data also included 8,441 males and 1,738 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. Vision 2030 aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with top-class services.
Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.33 million Umrah visas
Saudi Arabia issues more than 4.33 million Umrah visas
- Developing Hajj and Umrah organizations and services in the Kingdom is among the top priorities of the Saudi government
KSrelief sets emergency camp for Gazans displaced by severe weather
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has set up a new emergency camp in the central Gaza Strip, providing shelter to hundreds of families forced from their homes in recent weeks.
More than 250 tents have been installed to meet immediate needs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The camp was established after severe weather destroyed large numbers of temporary shelters across the area.
Aid workers say powerful storms and flooding have swept through central Gaza, flattening hundreds of tents and deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Families who have taken shelter in the camp said the new tents have eased some of the immediate strain of displacement. After weeks of exposure to rain and cold, many said the shelters have offered basic protection and a degree of comfort as winter conditions continue.
The camp is part of broader Saudi led efforts to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza.
