RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced that women worldwide can now perform Hajj and Umrah without the presence of a mehram (blood relative) or a male guardian.
The announcement was made during a press conference by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, effectively ending the Kingdom’s decades-long rule, according to Arab News.
According to the Hajj Minister, people with any visa can perform Hajj and Umrah with satisfaction and visit any city in the country. “There is no set quota for Umrah pilgrims,” he added.
According to Faten Ibrahim Hussein, a former advisor to the Hajj Minister, pilgrims are given all the amenities necessary to complete the Hajj and Umrah in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.
According to Hussein, “allowing women to undertake Umrah without the requirement of a mahram makes life easier for them because many of them live in challenging social circumstances and may not be able to find a mahram or it may cost them a lot, while they are anxious to perform Umrah.”
Minister of Hajj and Umrah:
— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) October 10, 2022
“A woman can come to the Kingdom to perform Umrah without a mahram.”
Pavan Manzoor is an experienced content writer , editor and social media handler along with a track record of youth-oriented activities in Pakistan and abroad. She was selected as a fully-funded delegate as a leadership fellow in Turkey. She also led a team of 5 volunteers at the week-long Young Professionals Fellowship in Maldives. She is also a member of the Youth Standing Committee on Higher Education.
