Ramadan 2023: Saudi Arabia expands services for millions of Umrah pilgrims

Measures and programmes have been announced to make pilgrimage during the fasting month a smooth experience

Hadiyah, the charitable association, aims to distribute 1.2 million meals this year at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Holy Mosque. SPA

Authorities and charities in Saudi Arabia have announced various programmes and measures, to cater for Umrah pilgrims arriving during the month of Ramadan.

Officials and volunteers will be in place to help guide millions of pilgrims throughout the holy month.

The General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs launched a new initiative on Thursday, called 'Ask Me', to guide visitors and inform them about the zones designated for worship.

The Ramadan programme at the Grand Mosque library has been launched as well.

It will include scientific and cultural meetings and seminars.

An iftar-distributing charity in Jeddah, 'Live to Give', also launched its activities for this year's Ramadan.

Hashem, the team leader at 'Live to Give', an iftar-distributing charity in Jeddah. Photo: Live to Give

Hashem, the team leader at 'Live to Give', helps in guiding and supporting volunteers distributing iftar meals.

"I have set clear goals and expectations for our team, and I communicate regularly with each volunteer to ensure they understand their responsibilities and have the resources they need, he told The National.

"I always aim to foster a positive team environment that encourages collaboration and teamwork, which helps us to distribute the food efficiently."

He said although leading a team of volunteers can be challenging, he finds it "rewarding to see the impact of our efforts" in the community.

Young Saudi men and women have been distributing iftar meals to pilgrims at King Abdulaziz International Airport and train stations, for those travelling to Makkah or Madinah from Jeddah.

This week, the Grand Mosque in Makkah launched a new welcome scheme run by its media affairs and women’s exhibitions agency, for Umrah pilgrims arriving from abroad. Pilgrims will be greeted by officials at the Haramain train station and airport in Jeddah.

“The pilgrims are being welcomed at the designated train station, and gifts are presented to help them perform their rituals with ease,” said Nada Al Malki, part of the welcome initiative.

Young Saudi men and women have been distributing iftar meals to pilgrims at King Abdulaziz International Airport and train stations. Photo: SPA

Hadiyah, the charitable association in Makkah, aims to distribute 1.2 million meals this year, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The meals will consist of iftar and suhoor boxes.

Hadiyah said it would have 750 volunteers to help serve pilgrims throughout the holy month.

The Women’s Affairs Agency in the Watering Department of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque will distribute two million units of Zamzam water to female visitors in Ramadan.

More than 1,000 female employees of the agency and operating companies at the Prophet's Mosque will assist, with 22 volunteer teams with about 3,000 volunteers serving the female visitors to the mosque.

Umrah guidelines during Ramadan

Meanwhile, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques has started receiving requests for Itikaf, an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days.

The permit is valid for only the last 10 days of Ramadan — beginning on the night of the 21st and ending on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Itikaf can take place in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.

Those wishing to register for Itikaf at the Grand Mosque, can do so through the Nusuk application.

The ritual was reintroduced at the Grand Mosque last year, following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Worshippers around the Kaaba during Ramadan as captured from the Clock Towers complex in Makkah. All photos: AFP

The Grand Mosque in Makkah as seen from the Clock Towers complex

A view of the city of Makkah

Muslim worshippers perform sunset prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as they mark the end of the first day of Ramadan.

Muslim worshippers sit at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of the holy month

Muslims wait to pray as cleaning staff disinfect the grounds at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

A child is carried on the shoulders of a worshipper at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan

Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Worshippers read the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Ramadan began on Thursday in Saudi Arabia

A man carries a child at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Observing Ramadan is one of the five holy pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims in good health

This year, much of the region will be fasting for about 14 hours a day

A man reads the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Muslim pilgrims performing Umrah walk between the Marwa and Safa hills in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan

A Muslim worshipper reads the Quran on the first day of the holy month

Authorities have prepared the Grand Mosques to receive about 2,500 worshippers for Itikaf, and registration will close when the limit is reached, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Five hundred lockers with digital locks have been provided to store the personal belongings of pilgrims during their period of Itikaf.

Last week, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that pilgrims would not be allowed to repeat Umrah during Ramadan.

This move is to give opportunity for other pilgrims to perform Umrah during the holy month with ease and comfort.

The ministry stressed the need for pilgrims to obtain a permit through the Nusuk app to perform the pilgrimage.