Iran in Talks with Saudi Arabia to Increase Umrah Quota
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to increase the number of Iranian nationals’ visits to the holy city of Mecca for performing Umrah pilgrimage, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi announced on Tuesday.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Ohadi said that he has held consultations with Saudi Arabian Hajj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar to increase the number of Iranians’ travels to Mecca to make Umrah (minor pilgrimage).
“Last year, 830 thousand Iranians travelled to Mecca for performing Umrah, and if (Iran’s) conditions are met, this year the number will reach one million,” the Iranian Hajj official said.
In his talks with the Saudi official, Ohadi also informed him about some complaints regarding the behavior of the Saudi morality police toward Iranian pilgrims during the last Umrah season and called for action to prevent any misconduct.
The Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims. Unlike the Hajj which is also known as the "major pilgrimage", it can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.