Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant surge in Muslim devotees from around the globe flocking to the two holiest cities, Mecca and Madinah, during the auspicious month of Ramadan for Umrah, contributing to immense crowds.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has witnessed a substantial increase in Umrah pilgrims from various countries, including Bangladesh, since the commencement of Ramadan.

While Mecca is renowned for its scorching temperatures, this March has surprisingly offered pleasant weather, attracting thousands of Muslim devotees to offer their Jummah prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday, marking the first Jummah of Ramadan.

Devotees packed all floors of the Grand Mosque and its adjacent courtyards, with rows of worshippers extending onto the streets of the Central Haram area. Many opted to offer prayers from their hotels, connected to the Grand Mosque through audio transmission.

Additionally, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, approved the hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from various countries during 2024. This includes 250 prominent Islamic figures from 16 countries in Europe and Asia, visiting the kingdom to perform Umrah.

Among the distinguished members of the Bangladesh delegation are Islamic scholars, journalists, students, and influencers like Ayman Sadiq, founder and CEO of 10 Minute School, and Munzereen Shahid, author, speaker, and English teacher.

Expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to perform Umrah, members of the delegation shared their awe-inspiring experiences. Munzereen Shahid described the extraordinary unity among people and expressed a desire to return, while Ayman Sadiq shared his visit to the historic King Fahd Quran Printing Complex in Madinah before performing Umrah.

Moreover, tourists from various countries have contributed to Saudi Arabia's tourism sector's remarkable growth, with the country topping UN Tourism's ranking for the growth of international tourist arrivals in 2023. The kingdom has achieved a 56% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019.

Saudi Arabia's ambitious Tourism Investment Enabler Program (TIEP) aims to enhance the tourism sector's competitiveness and attract global investors, further fueling the kingdom's tourism growth.

The kingdom also witnessed a record number of Umrah pilgrims in 2023, reaching 13.55 million, marking a 58% increase compared to 2019.