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Rabat – Umrah, known as the “minor pilgrimage” is a journey to the holy Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is considered Muslims’ most sacred site.
Unlike Hajj, which is one of the pillars of Islam, Umrah is a voluntary spiritual journey that Muslims participate in as a sign of devotion to Allah.
Millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca to visit the city’s Great Mosque and perform Tawaf and Sa’i, Umrah’s religious rituals.
Tawaf is performed by circling seven times around the Kaaba, the shrine at the center of the Great Mosque.
After performing the Tawaf, worshipers may touch the Black Stone, which is located in the eastern corner of the Kabba.
Worshipers also drink the holy water of the Zamzam well and pray at the Maqam Ibrahim, which is a small square stone that Prophet Ibrahim stood on while constructing the Kaaba.
Sa’i is walking back and forth seven times between the hills of al-Safa and al-Marwah, which are located near the Great Mosque.
Pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram in order to perform Umrah, which includes Niyyah and Talbiyah. Niyyah is the intention in the worshiper’s heart to perform Umrah for the Sake of Allah, while Talbiyah is a special prayer uttered by pilgrims after making Niyyah.
Ihram also refers to the clothes pilgrims wear to perform the minor pilgrimage. Men’s Ihram consists of two white pieces of cloth wrapped around the body, while women wear hijab and modest clothes.
Hajj occurs only once a year and lasts for ten days during the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Meanwhile, Umrah can be performed any time of the year.
However, most Muslims prefer to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. This is because Ramadan is a month of blessings where good deeds are encouraged.
With Saudi Arabia having lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, foreign Umrah goers can perform the pilgrimage this year.
Saudi Arabia no longer requires foreign pilgrims to present a negative PCR test or rapid antigen test upon arrival.
In a recent statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on pilgrims to follow precautionary measures in the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina by wearing a mask and respecting the entry dates according to the permits issued by Eatmarna and Tawakkalna apps.
Saudi authorities also recently announced that women outside of Saudi Arabia over the age of 45 can attend Umrah without a Mahram – a male guardian.
Read also: Saudi Arabia: Eased COVID-19 Restrictions Revive Pilgrims’ Visits to Grand Mosques
