Pilgrimage officials in Yanbu received the first ship carrying 317 Umrah pilgrims coming from Egypt this season. The Haj and Umrah management completed the procedures for the pilgrims according to their travel plan. Of the arriving pilgrims, 208 traveled to Madinah on four buses while the remaining 109 traveled to Makkah on board three buses. The passport procedures of all the pilgrims were completed in record time, according to officials. Around 2.2 million Umrah pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom through various entry points since the start of Umrah season. The number of pilgrims who arrived overland reached 237,650 while the number of pilgrims who arrived by sea was 13,970 so far. Saudi authorities have issued more than 2.9 million Umrah visas so far this season. Meanwhile, Minister of Haj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Benten received separately in Makkah on Monday Ahmed Hamza Al-Mahdi, chairman of Libyan Pilgrims Committee and a member of the presidential council, and Sri Lankan Minister of Posts, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs Mohamed Hashim Abdul Haleem. During the two meetings, they reviewed topics related to Haj affairs within the framework of early preparations for the upcoming Haj season. — SG/SPA
