In a bid to revive its coronavirus-battered religious tourism industry, Saudi Arabia will gradually allow its citizens and residents to undertake the year-round umrah pilgrimage beginning Oct. 4.
“In response to the aspirations of many Muslims at home and abroad,” some 6,000 worshippers will be permitted to perform the pilgrimage and enter the Grand Mosque in Mecca each day under the new rules, the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. By Nov. 1, Saudi officials plan to welcome up to 20,000 pilgrims and 60,000 worshippers daily from a list of countries considered safe for travel.
