Saudi Arabia to welcome Umrah pilgrims from Iran after 8 years

TEHRAN – The authorities in Saudi Arabia would welcome Umrah pilgrims from Iran after a gap of 8 years, in a major diplomatic development for the region.

Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Abbas Hosseini revealed that the first group of Umrah pilgrims will soon start their spiritual journey to Mecca.

During a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Hosseini said that the initial group will consist of 550 pilgrims, and on December 19, the pilgrims will depart for the House of God in Makkah.

He detailed that the pilgrims will spend a total of 10 days in Saudi Arabia, dividing their time between five days in Makkah and five days in Medinah.

Additionally, Hosseini said that the decision to resume Iranian Umrah flights has been made after necessary consultation and coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah including the signing of Memorandums of understanding.

Hosseini further announced that the first batch of pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, with subsequent Umrah flights planned from airports in cities like Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Sari, and Zahedan, Saudi Gazette reported.

The Iranian official elaborated that a total of 70,000 Iranian pilgrims will perform Umrah in 550 batches during the period, which runs until February 29 before the holy month of Ramadan.

He continued that those who initially registered for Hajj in 2008 can complete the registration process to participate in Umrah pilgrim.

Hosseini said 5.7 million Iranians are waiting to perform Umrah, and the authorities were willing to send 800,000 to 1 million people on the Hajj every year if conditions permit and the relevant authorities cooperate.

The relations between the two Muslim countries deteriorated after the 2015 stampede in which around 2000 people lost their lives including over 400 Iranians in Saudi Arabia. Barbs were traded by the political leaders over the tragedy that sent shockwaves across the Muslim world.

In March 2023, diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia were re-established through a China-mediated agreement, marking a significant development after relations were severed. The restoration of diplomatic connections and the Umrah pilgrimage opens the door to increased communication and cooperation between the two nations.