Saudi Arabia reopens Umrah access for Syrians after 14-year suspension

Saudi Arabia has reopened the door for Syrian travel agencies to organize Umrah pilgrimage trips again, without conditions, after a halt that lasted around 14 years. Mohammad Al-Bunni, a member of the Syrian tourism offices’ negotiating team, revealed that a delegation representing Syrian travel agencies signed an agreement last week with a coalition of around 160 private Saudi companies. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Umrah exhibition in Medina.

According to the agreement, Umrah trips will resume starting from the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah — the second day of Eid al-Adha. Al-Bunni stated that the Kingdom did not impose a quota on the number of pilgrims allowed, meaning the numbers are open-ended. As a result, the approximately 520 licensed Syrian Umrah offices now have the right to organize pilgrim caravans regardless of size.

According to the Ministry of Religious Endowments’ schedule, 65% of accepted Syrian pilgrims are between the ages of 63 and 100, while 35% are between 25 and 60 years old. Al-Bunni noted this is unprecedented in Syria, as previous selection was based on age priority, usually favoring the elderly, with only a few younger individuals accepted as companions or guardians.