Saudi Arabia has introduced a dress code for Muslim women who are visiting the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the Umrah pilgrimage. The guidelines, shared by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on social media, stress the importance of comfort and modesty in accordance with Islamic teachings.
According to the Ministry, women have the freedom to choose their attire during the Umrah, provided that their clothing adheres to the following criteria:
- Loose-fitting.
- Without any decorative elements.
- Covering the entire body.
As the Umrah season gains momentum, Saudi Arabia is preparing to welcome approximately 10 million international Muslim visitors to the Grand Mosque.
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This announcement follows the Hajj season, which saw the participation of nearly 1.8 million pilgrims, marking the largest gathering in three years since the onset of the pandemic.
Umrah is a pilgrimage that many Muslims undertake if they are unable to perform the Hajj, often due to physical or financial constraints. Saudi Arabia has recently introduced several initiatives to make this journey more accessible to global visitors.
Now, Muslims holding various types of visas, including personal, visit, and tourist visas, can schedule an e-appointment to perform the Umrah.
Furthermore, the Umrah visa duration has been extended from 30 to 90 days. Pilgrims are allowed to enter and exit the country by land, air, or sea. Additionally, women pilgrims are no longer required to have a male guardian accompany them.
Expatriates residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can obtain a tourist visa, regardless of their job roles, enabling them to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage.
