Final Batch of King Salman’s Umrah Guests Arrives in Madinah

The fourth and final batch of guests under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visit Program for 1448 AH arrived in Madinah on October 8, 2026, completing this year’s hosting of 1,000 Umrah performers from 65 countries. The program, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, welcomed 250 guests from 21 nations in its concluding phase. The guests will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other Islamic and historical sites in Madinah before traveling to Makkah to perform Umrah.

Context and Background

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visit Program is a prestigious initiative personally funded by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It reflects the Kingdom’s enduring commitment to serving Islam and Muslims worldwide by enabling distinguished individuals to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance oversees all logistical, hospitality, and religious arrangements, ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for every guest.

This year’s program, for the Hijri year 1448, has been executed in four batches, each comprising 250 Umrah performers. The fourth batch arrived in Madinah today, marking the successful conclusion of the hosting activities for this cycle. The guests hail from a diverse array of countries across Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific, underscoring the program’s global reach and the Kingdom’s inclusive approach to serving the global Muslim community.

Key Details

The fourth batch includes 250 Umrah performers from 21 countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, Russia, Bhutan, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, through its reception and organization committees, implemented an integrated plan to assist the guests from their departure flights until their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Reception procedures and transportation to accommodations were facilitated to ensure comfort and enable the guests to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.

The guests expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception, generous hospitality, and continuous care they received from the moment they arrived. The ministry’s comprehensive system of services and facilities has been designed to provide a spiritually uplifting and hassle-free experience, allowing the guests to focus on their worship and visitation.

Implications and Impact

The completion of this year’s program highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims globally. By hosting 1,000 Umrah performers from 65 countries, the Kingdom reinforces its role as the guardian of the Two Holy Mosques and a beacon of Islamic unity. This initiative also strengthens cultural and diplomatic ties with the participating nations, as guests return home with positive impressions of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and organizational excellence.

The program’s success is a testament to the Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to facilitating Umrah and visitation for Muslims from all corners of the world. It also showcases the advanced infrastructure and services available in Madinah and Makkah, which are continuously upgraded to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims and visitors.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This initiative aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the Kingdom’s role as a global leader in serving pilgrims and promoting moderate Islam. By investing in world-class facilities and services for Umrah performers, Saudi Arabia is not only fulfilling its religious duties but also driving economic diversification and cultural exchange. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visit Program exemplifies the Vision’s core objectives of fostering international goodwill and showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic heritage.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visit Program?

A1. It is a program personally funded by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud that hosts Muslims from around the world to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam.

Q2. Who implements the program?

A2. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance implements the program, overseeing all logistical, hospitality, and religious arrangements to ensure a seamless experience for the guests.

Q3. How many guests arrived in the fourth batch?

A3. The fourth batch comprises 250 Umrah performers from 21 countries, completing the total of 1,000 guests hosted this year.

Q4. How many countries are represented in the fourth batch?

A4. The fourth batch includes guests from 21 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific, demonstrating the program’s global reach.

Q5. Which countries are represented in the fourth batch?

A5. Countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, Russia, Bhutan, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Fiji.

Q6. What is the total number of guests hosted this year?

A6. A total of 1,000 Umrah performers from 65 countries were hosted across four batches in the 1448 AH program.

Q7. Where did the fourth batch arrive?

A7. The fourth batch arrived in Madinah on October 8, 2026, where they will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other Islamic and historical sites.

Q8. What activities will the guests undertake in Madinah?

A8. The guests will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and several Islamic and historical sites in Madinah before traveling to Makkah to perform Umrah.

Q9. Who funds the program?

A9. The program is hosted at the personal expense of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reflecting his dedication to serving Muslims worldwide.

Q10. What services are provided to the guests?

A10. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs provides an integrated system of services including reception, transportation, accommodation, and continuous care to ensure comfort and ease in performing rituals.

Q11. How did the guests react to the hospitality?

A11. The guests praised the warm reception, generous hospitality, and continuous care they received from the moment of their arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Q12. What is the significance of this program for Saudi Arabia?

A12. It highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims, reinforcing its role as the guardian of the Two Holy Mosques and a beacon of Islamic unity.

Q13. How does the program align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A13. The program supports Vision 2030 by enhancing the Kingdom’s role in serving pilgrims, promoting moderate Islam, and showcasing its rich Islamic heritage and world-class facilities.

Q14. How many batches were there in the 1448 AH program?

A14. The program was executed in four batches, each comprising 250 Umrah performers, totaling 1,000 guests.

Q15. What is the role of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in the program?

A15. The ministry implements the program through its reception and organization committees, ensuring all arrangements from departure to arrival are smooth and comfortable.

Q16. Which countries are included in the fourth batch from Central Asia?

A16. Central Asian countries in the fourth batch include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Q17. What does the program reflect about Saudi Arabia’s commitment?

A17. It reflects the Kingdom’s continued care for Islam and Muslims and its commitment to enabling them to visit the Two Holy Mosques and perform Umrah with ease.

Q18. How does the program facilitate the guests’ travel?

A18. The ministry facilitates reception procedures, transportation to accommodations, and provides continuous care to ensure a hassle-free and spiritually fulfilling experience.

Q19. What is the significance of the fourth batch being the final one?

A19. Its arrival marks the completion of this year’s hosting activities, with all 1,000 guests from 65 countries having arrived safely and being cared for.

Q20. What impact does the program have on international relations?

A20. The program strengthens cultural and diplomatic ties with participating nations, as guests return home with positive impressions of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and organizational excellence.

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