Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH — A fourth batch of pilgrims hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit has arrived in Madinah.

The current batch of guest pilgrims includes 250 men and women from 14 countries from South Asia, Central Asia and Australia. They represent India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. The program comes in implementation of the Saudi government’s directives to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries. They will be hosted in 4 groups during 2025.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has prepared a religious and cultural program, such as visiting the Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Quba Mosque, the Martyrs’ Cemetery, Uhud Martyrs, and the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an. They will also vies the exhibits at the International Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, before moving to Makkah Al-Mukarramah to perform the Umrah rituals.