A group of 250 male and female Umrah performers from 23 African countries has arrived in Makkah as part of the third group of guests under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Umrah and Visitation for 1448 AH.
The program is implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and provides guests with an integrated range of services and arrangements throughout their spiritual journey.
The group is part of a broader initiative approved to host 1,000 Umrah performers during the 1448 AH year, divided into four groups, extending the program’s reach to Muslims from different countries and regions around the world.
Guests From 23 African Countries
The third group includes guests from Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Guinea-Conakry, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Chad, Tanzania, Djibouti, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Mali.
The group’s broad geographical representation reflects the international scope of the initiative and its focus on providing Muslims from diverse communities with the opportunity to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque.
Integrated Reception and Services
Upon arriving at their accommodation in Makkah, the guests were received by officials from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance before heading to the Grand Mosque to perform Umrah.
The ministry provides an integrated system of services and arrangements covering accommodation, reception, transportation and religious and cultural activities, with the aim of ensuring that guests can perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
Previous groups under the program have also participated in religious and cultural activities and visited major Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah.
Religious and Cultural Program in Makkah
The guests’ itinerary in Makkah includes a meeting with an imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, as well as visits to the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition.
These visits offer participants an opportunity to learn more about the services provided to the Two Holy Mosques, the history of the Kaaba’s covering and aspects of Islamic revelation and heritage.
Earlier groups also participated in religious and cultural programs and visited sites including the Prophet’s Mosque, Quba Mosque, Mount Uhud, the Uhud Martyrs Cemetery and the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex.
Guests Praise Saudi Arabia’s Services
The Umrah performers expressed their gratitude for the invitation and hospitality, praising the care, services and facilities provided to help them perform their rituals and visit the Prophet’s Mosque.
They also highlighted the services provided by Saudi Arabia to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, describing the experience as an opportunity to perform their religious duties in an atmosphere of comfort and reassurance while learning more about important Islamic and historical landmarks.
The comments are consistent with previous statements from program participants regarding the comprehensive services provided from their arrival in the Kingdom until their departure, alongside religious and cultural activities throughout their stay.
Combining Worship With Knowledge and Culture
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program combines the performance of religious rituals with educational and cultural experiences.
For participants, the journey therefore extends beyond performing Umrah and visiting Makkah and Madinah to include opportunities to learn about Islamic history, the Two Holy Mosques and significant religious landmarks.
With the arrival of the third group in Makkah, the 1448 AH program continues to welcome hundreds of Umrah performers from different countries and continents, reinforcing its broader objective of strengthening communication with Muslim communities around the world and facilitating their Umrah and visitation experience.
