4 million foreigners expected to perform Umrah

JEDDAH: About four million foreign pilgrims are expected to come for Umrah during 2010, said Saad Jameel Al-Qurashi, chairman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah on Friday.

Speaking to Arab News, he said Umrah service providers in the Kingdom would be able to cover the losses they suffered in 2009 during the upcoming Umrah season.

He said the number of foreigners overstaying their Umrah visas declined to 12,000 last year. “I wish that this year would be the first season without overstayers,” he added.

Al-Qurashi said the number of Umrah pilgrims coming from different countries including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, India and Malaysia would be known within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Haj has urged all Saudi companies providing Umrah services to make ready their offices in Makkah and Madinah ahead of the Umrah season that begins in the second lunar month of Safar.