The holy month of Ramadan is a significant period for Muslims worldwide. Muslims observe fasts, offer prayers, and engage in various charitable activities throughout this month. One of the most important religious rituals for Muslims during Ramadan is to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Director General of Statistics at the Great Mosque of Mecca, Issa Al-Hudhali, recently revealed that over seven million visitors and pilgrims visited Masjid Al Haram during the first eight days of Ramadan. The number of pilgrims visiting the holy site is a testament to the significance of Umrah and the importance of Ramadan in the Muslim world.
During this period, the average duration of saa’i (the ritual of walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa) and circumambulation (tawaf, the act of walking around the Kaaba seven times) was estimated at an hour and 47 minutes. The length of time spent performing these rituals indicates the devotion and reverence that Muslims have towards their faith.
Furthermore, 364,080 packages of Zamzam water were distributed inside the al-Mataf dish. Zamzam water is a holy water that is believed to have healing properties and is sourced from the well of Zamzam located in the Masjid Al Haram complex.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia announced the availability of reservations to perform Umrah in the last ten days of Ramadan through the “Nusk” application, as well as the “Tawakkalna” application. These applications allow users to book their Umrah slots and track their movements while in Saudi Arabia, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pilgrims.
The government of Saudi Arabia has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the ongoing pandemic. A strict adherence to social distancing measures, the use of face masks, and other precautions have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The government has also implemented a comprehensive vaccination program for all residents and citizens of the country, including pilgrims.
The Masjid Al Haram complex has undergone extensive renovations and expansions in recent years to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims. The site can now accommodate up to two million pilgrims at a time, with a total area of 356,000 square meters. The complex includes numerous amenities such as prayer halls, hotels, shopping centers, and parking lots to cater to the needs of pilgrims.
Performing Umrah during Ramadan is considered a highly virtuous act in Islam. Muslims believe that the rewards for performing Umrah during Ramadan are multiplied several times over, making it an especially auspicious time to undertake the pilgrimage. The significance of Ramadan and the Umrah pilgrimage is evident in the massive number of visitors and pilgrims to Masjid Al Haram during this period.
The government of Saudi Arabia’s extensive measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the pandemic is commendable. The Masjid Al Haram complex is an important religious site for Muslims worldwide, and the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of pilgrims is a testament to the country’s dedication to its religious heritage.
The ongoing renovations and expansions of the Masjid Al Haram complex are necessary to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the site each year. The amenities provided at the site, such as prayer halls, hotels, and shopping centers, reflect the government’s commitment to providing a comfortable and safe environment for pilgrims during their stay in Mecca.
The number of pilgrims visiting Masjid Al Haram during the first week of Ramadan is a testament to the significance of Ramadan and the Umrah pilgrimage in the Muslim world. The Saudi government’s extensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims during the pandemic, as well as the recent renovations and expansions of the Masjid Al Haram complex, have made it possible to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting the site. The rewards of performing Umrah during Ramadan are believed to be multiplied, making it an especially auspicious time for Muslims to undertake this holy pilgrimage.