Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah pilgrims from around the world at his personal expense under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, Saudi authorities announced on Tuesday.
The initiative, which the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance will implement, forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to facilitate religious travel and strengthen ties with Muslim communities worldwide.
According to the ministry, the program will run in four phases during the Islamic year 1448 AH. The first group will consist of 250 Umrah pilgrims from 16 Asian countries, including Indonesia, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia.
The guests will receive comprehensive services throughout their journey, including travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation, religious programs and guided visits to Islamic landmarks in Makkah and Madinah.
The Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program has become one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship religious initiatives. Since its launch in 1996, the program has hosted tens of thousands of pilgrims, scholars, clerics and influential Islamic figures from more than 140 countries, according to official Saudi data.
Strengthening Ties Across the Muslim World
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh welcomed the royal directive and described it as a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving Muslims worldwide.
Al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of the program.
He said the leadership’s efforts help Muslims perform Umrah and visit Islam’s holiest sites comfortably and safely.
“On the occasion, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and General Supervisor of the program Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude to the King and the Crown Prince for their continued care and commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, and for their ongoing efforts to enable Muslims from across the world to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites with ease and peace of mind.”
Al-Sheikh added that the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian and religious mission.
“The initiative reflects the leadership’s dedication to strengthening bonds of brotherhood among Muslim peoples and underscores the Kingdom’s humanitarian and religious mission to build bridges of communication with scholars, clerics, and influential figures across Muslim communities worldwide.”
The program has historically targeted Muslims who may not otherwise have the financial means or opportunity to visit the Kingdom, helping them perform religious rites while engaging with scholars and Islamic institutions.
Part of Saudi Arabia’s Growing Religious Tourism Strategy
The latest announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand religious tourism under its Vision 2030 strategy. The Kingdom has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects around Makkah and Madinah to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims and visitors.
Saudi authorities have also introduced digital services, upgraded transportation networks and expanded capacity at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
Official figures show that Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 18.5 million Umrah pilgrims during 2024, one of the highest annual totals on record. The government aims to increase that number significantly in the coming years as it seeks to improve visitor experiences and strengthen its role as the spiritual center of the Muslim world.
The latest group of guests is expected to arrive in the Kingdom in the coming months as preparations begin for the first phase of the 1448 AH program.
