Saudi Arabia welcomes first Hajj pilgrims of the year from Iraq
192 buses arrive through the Jadidat Arar border crossing ahead of the annual pilgrimage, which begins in Makkah on June 4
Updated 15 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The first group of pilgrims from Iraq arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday ahead of this year’s Hajj. A total of 192 buses from the country passed through the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the north of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Authorities said that officials under the supervision of the governor of the Northern Borders Region, Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan, are working to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims and provide them with a comprehensive range of services, including medical assistance, preventive care and awareness information.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage, which every Muslim who is physically and financially able to do so is obliged to undertake at least once in their life, will begin in Makkah June 4 and end on June 9.
Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations
Company failed to provide accommodation for a number of Umrah pilgrims, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs, ministry says
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide accommodation services for pilgrims in line with approved contractual programs.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company’s failure constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
It noted that a number of pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without secured accommodation, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs.
This prompted immediate regulatory action against the company and its overseas agent under the established legal frameworks, the ministry said.
Pilgrims circumambulate the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in this photo taken earlier this month. (SPA)
"The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality," it added.
Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services to pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone.
Also referred to as Jumada Al Thani, Jumada Al Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. For Hijri year 1447, this sixth month ended on December 20, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar.
More than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone. (SPA)
