Saudi Arabia has unveiled a dress code for Muslim women undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These guidelines, disseminated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on the X platform (formerly Twitter), underscore the importance of both comfort and modesty in accordance with Islamic principles.
As per the Ministry’s directives, women have the freedom to select their attire for the Umrah pilgrimage, provided that their garments adhere to the following criteria:
1. Loose-fitting.
2. Devoid of any ornamental embellishments.
3. Cover the entire body.
As the Umrah season gains momentum, Saudi Arabia is gearing up to receive approximately 10 million international Muslim pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. This comes on the heels of the Hajj season, which witnessed the participation of nearly 1.8 million individuals, marking the largest gathering in three years since the onset of the pandemic.
Umrah, a significant pilgrimage for many Muslims who may be unable to undertake Hajj due to physical or financial limitations, has recently witnessed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance accessibility for pilgrims from around the world.
Presently, individuals holding various visa types, including personal, visit, and tourist visas, have the option to schedule an e-appointment for their Umrah journey.
Furthermore, the Umrah visa duration has been extended from 30 to 90 days, granting pilgrims the flexibility to enter and exit the country through multiple modes—whether by land, air, or sea. Additionally, a notable change is that female pilgrims are no longer required to be accompanied by a male guardian.
Expatriates residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations can now obtain a tourist visa for Umrah regardless of their job roles, making this sacred journey accessible to a broader range of individuals.
