UAE: 50 female students honored with family Umrah trip for academic excellence | World News

Fifty high-achieving female students in Dubai will perform Umrah with their families / image: @IACAD In a heartwarming fusion of academic achievement and spiritual tradition, 50 young women in Dubai just received the ultimate “gold star” on their report cards. The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has announced it is sponsoring a full […]

Umrah packages touch Dh8,000 as Ramadan 2026 travel demand rises in UAE | World News

High demand lifts Ramadan 2026 Umrah package prices / AI Illustration As the crescent moon for Ramadan 2026 is expected to appear around February 19, thousands of UAE residents are already eyeing the journey of a lifetime. Performing Umrah during the Holy Month is often described as having the spiritual reward equivalent to Hajj, leading […]

Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah company after pilgrims arrive without promised accommodation | World News

The ministry said several pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia without secured lodging, despite accommodation being clearly documented in approved Umrah contracts Saudi authorities have suspended an Umrah company and its foreign agent after pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without the accommodation promised in their approved travel programmes. The action, announced by the Ministry of Hajj and […]

Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Hajj rolls out new Nusk Card rules for domestic and international pilgrims | World News

Nusk Al-Umrah card offers digital services for domestic, printed access for international pilgrims/Representative Image Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step to make the Umrah pilgrimage smoother and more organized for both domestic and international visitors. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has expanded the “Nusk” card, now available digitally for residents within the Kingdom […]

How you can perform Umrah on a free transit visa during layovers in Saudi Arabia | World News

The eligible airlines for the Saudi stopover visa are Saudia Airlines and Flynas and : Travelers must register and book their Umrah or Ziyarah appointments via the Nusuk.sa platform ahead of time Saudi Arabia is now offering a convenient and cost-effective way for international travelers, including GCC residents, to perform Umrah during layovers in the […]

Pilgrim travel alert: Saudi Arabia cuts Umrah visa entry validity to one month | World News

Saudi Arabia cuts Umrah visa pre-entry validity to one month, effective next week, for pilgrims/Representative Image Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced key amendments to the Umrah visa system, reducing the pre-entry validity period from three months to one month. The new rule, which takes effect next week, aims to improve crowd […]

Applying for an Umrah visa from India? Here’s everything you need to know | World News

Indian pilgrims need a valid Umrah visa, confirmed tickets, accommodation proof, and vaccination certificates for travel/Representative Image Preparing for Umrah is a deeply spiritual undertaking for Muslims in India, and it requires more than just faith—it demands meticulous planning, accurate documentation, and compliance with Saudi visa regulations. This comprehensive guide details every step Indian pilgrims […]

Saudi Arabia launches challenge for local chefs to upgrade Hajj and umrah pilgrim meals | World News

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a national challenge inviting Saudi chefs to innovate pilgrim catering, enhancing quality and safety/Representative Image The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has initiated the “Eashathon” challenge in Makkah, aiming to innovate and elevate the catering services for millions of pilgrims. This competition invites Saudi chefs to develop creative […]

What is ‘Nusuk Umrah’? Saudi Arabia’s new Umrah platform every pilgrim should know about | World News

Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk Umrah platform lets global pilgrims apply for visas, book accommodation, transport, and tours entirely online/ Representative Image A new digital gateway called ‘Nusuk Umrah’ has been launched by Saudi Arabia to simplify and streamline the Umrah journey for international pilgrims. Accessible online, the platform lets users apply for visas and book a […]

Umrah 2025: Over 1.2 million pilgrims from 109 countries have arrived in Saudi Arabia since June | World News

The 1.2 million pilgrims that have arrived since June represent a 30% increase in Umrah arrivals compared to the same period last year/ Image: Hajj&UmrahPlanner.com Since the start of the 2025 Umrah season on June 11, Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than 1.2 million pilgrims from 109 countries, marking a significant surge compared to last […]