Millions of Muslims perform Umrah during the month of Ramadan (Reuters)

With the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan, the souls of Muslims around the world are eager to visit the Holy Lands to perform the Ramadan Umrah, inspired by the words of the Holy Prophet Muhammad - may God bless him and grant him peace - “Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me,” which makes the reward for this Umrah great, as it is equivalent to Its reward is the reward of one who performs Hajj with the Prophet - may God bless him and grant him peace.

Desiring this great reward, millions flock during the blessed month of Ramadan to the Holy Lands in the largest human gathering in the Two Holy Mosques after the Hajj season, and the number of pilgrims in the holy month doubles annually with the expansion plans taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia year after year.

The density of Umrah pilgrims increases in the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, as many people prefer to spend their Ramadan Umrah in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

For the double reward of work “with the honor of time and place.”

According to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, “The number of Umrah pilgrims reached 13.55 million during the Ramadan season last year, thanks to the facilities provided. This is the largest increase in the history of Umrah pilgrims from outside the Kingdom, as the number of Umrah pilgrims is estimated at 5 million, an increase of 58 percent.” %".

The Saudi government has developed a plan to raise the capacity for pilgrims to 30 million pilgrims and 5.4 million pilgrims in 2030.

Umrah companies are in a state of continuous activity before and during the Ramadan season, as the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina witness a high number of visitors.

A press conference in Saudi Arabia reviews the ongoing preparations to receive Ramadan pilgrims (SPA)

A spiritual journey

In front of one of the Umrah campaigns in Doha, Muhammad Abdel Karim, a primary school teacher, said that he came to the campaign in order to reserve a seat to travel to Mecca during the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan, which is considered an indescribable spiritual journey, noting that he used to spend the last ten days every year. From Ramadan in Mecca.

Muhammad Abdel Karim added to Al Jazeera Net that the atmosphere of faith that he feels in the Grand Mosque during the month of Ramadan cannot be missed for one year, and that he himself waits for these days annually as if they were a gift from God Almighty, explaining that despite the great crowding and the doubled cost during the month of Ramadan. He cannot give up the idea of ​​going to Mecca every Ramadan.

Government agencies activate their plans to provide the best services to pilgrims during Ramadan (SPA)

Umrah security plan

Before the advent of the month of Ramadan, the Saudi Ministry of Interior reviewed the Umrah security plan during the holy month of Ramadan, which the Kingdom harnessed for the security, safety and service of the guests of God.

The Director of Saudi Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, said that the Umrah security forces have begun implementing their missions to maintain order, manage and organize crowds, manage traffic, provide humanitarian services, empower and support security, service and support agencies, employ technology and harness it to serve those who go to the Two Holy Mosques, and benefit from intelligence. Artificial technology in predicting and dealing with upcoming densities at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The Director of Saudi Public Security touched on allocating the Mataf courtyard and the ground floor for pilgrims, places designated for prayer, and public transportation stations, taking into account the density of crowds expected at them, and their role in distributing the density on all sides of the Holy Mosque to avoid crowding, and harmonizing the capacity of the transportation stations and the Holy Mosque in Mecca.

The same spokesman stressed that those visiting the Sacred House of God must adhere to the regulations and instructions related to entering the Sacred Mosque and performing Umrah, in coordination and integration with all parties.

He warned of intensifying field security presence to ensure rapid monitoring of types of security cases and observations, rapid response with appropriate measures, and taking preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of crime and any negative phenomena that affect the security and safety of the guests of God.

In addition, government agencies and agencies in the Holy Capital have begun implementing their programs and activating their own plans, by providing the best services to visitors and pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan this year, in which Mecca is witnessing a large number of pilgrims and visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has activated its operational plan for this year’s Ramadan season, which began with 5 basic stages so that the experience of visitors this year will be different with high standards and quality, and unique distinction in terms of service and ease of access so that pilgrims perform their rituals and acts of worship in a spiritual atmosphere.

Source: Al Jazeera + Saudi Press