Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah announced that the ministry has launched a special operations room to address challenges and provide services to pilgrims arriving from abroad, in collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and other relevant agencies. This initiative aims to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims during their rituals.
During his opening speech at the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah, Al-Rabiah highlighted the preparedness of the ministry and relevant entities to adapt to changes in the region.
He disclosed that 18 million Umrah performers arrived from outside the Kingdom this year, a growth of over 214% compared to 2022 and 2025. He commended the Kingdom's leadership for their support of the Umrah sector and noted a rise in pilgrim satisfaction to 94% by 2025, alongside more than 15.6 million visitors for Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, as well as significant increases in the number of developed historical sites.
The third edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum serves as a platform for sharing experiences and building partnerships, featuring over 150 exhibitors, 50 workshops, and the signing of more than 5,000 agreements, all aimed at improving Umrah and visit services.