Saudi King Salman to Sponsor 1,000 Umrah Pilgrims Worldwide
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
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Official statement
New plan
- King Salman of Saudi Arabia will sponsor 1,000 international pilgrims for Umrah, covering all expenses.
- The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, is part of a four-phase program for the Islamic year 1448 AH.
- The first group of 250 pilgrims will come from 16 Asian countries, including Indonesia, China, Japan, and South Korea.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is extending a significant gesture of hospitality by sponsoring 1,000 pilgrims from around the world to perform Umrah. This initiative, fully funded by the monarch, aims to facilitate religious travel for Muslims globally.
The program, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, is structured in four phases throughout the Islamic year 1448 AH. The inaugural group will comprise 250 Umrah pilgrims hailing from 16 diverse Asian nations. These countries include Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mongolia.
The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening solidarity among Muslims while reinforcing the Kingdom's humanitarian and religious mission.
Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs and General Supervisor of the King Salman Guests Program, expressed profound gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He highlighted their unwavering commitment to serving Muslims worldwide and their efforts to simplify the pilgrimage experience for international visitors.
Al Alsheikh emphasized that this initiative underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to fostering solidarity among Muslims and reinforcing its humanitarian and religious mission. The program also seeks to cultivate stronger connections with Islamic scholars, religious leaders, and influential figures within the global Muslim community, reflecting the Kingdom's role in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
He also praised the Saudi leadership's efforts to make it easier for Muslims from different countries to perform Umrah and visit Islam's holy sites.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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