Saudi Arabia sets dress code for female Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia’s government has set a dress code for Muslim women while performing Umrah or lesser pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the kingdom said female pilgrims are entitled to wear the attire they like during the rituals, provided they comply with certain rules, reports Gulf News.

The attire must be loose fitting, free of ornaments and cover the woman’s body, the ministry posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The rules were highlighted as the Umrah season picks up momentum in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia expects around 10 million Muslims from abroad to make Umrah pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Mecca during the current season that got underway almost two months ago.

The season began after the end of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage that around 1.8 million Muslims attended for the first time in three years after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted.

Muslims, who cannot physically or financially afford Hajj, go to Saudi Arabia to make Umrah pilgrimage.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a host of facilities for overseas Muslims to come to the country to do Umrah.