Saudi Arabia imposes bar on performing Umrah more than once in Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has announced a restriction on performing Umrah more than once during Ramadan to avoid overcrowding during this sacred month.

Ramadan, which started last week, usually marks the peak season of Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site, according to Gulf News.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said no permit is issued for performing two or more Umrahs in Ramadan, urging the faithful to make do with one lesser pilgrimage in the sacred month.

The ministry explained that the restriction aims to ease congestion, give others the chance to undertake Umrah and help in crowd management, a Saudi newspaper reported.

According to Nusuk, a Saudi government platform facilitating Umrah procedures electronically, in case of trying to obtain a permit for a second Umrah by the same person, a message would appear reading: “The permit issuance fails. To give everyone the chance to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage can’t be repeated in Ramadan."