First flight of Pakistani pilgrims arrives in Saudi Arabia after seven months

The first batch for Umrah from Pakistan arrived in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom allowed foreign Muslim pilgrims into the Grand Mosque in Mecca after seven months.

On Sunday, King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah received the first flights of international pilgrims from Pakistan and Indonesia. The flight from Pakistan, carried 38 pilgrims, while the flight from Indonesia, had 224 pilgrims.

These pilgrims will self-isolate for three days before being allowed to circle around the Kaaba. They can stay in the kingdom for up to 10 days.

Following a spike in coronavirus, Saudi Arabia closed its borders in February to foreign Umrah pilgrims. In March, it stopped its own citizens and residents from taking part. Later in July, the kingdom allowed a limited number of domestic pilgrims to perform the Hajj.

Last month, Saudi Arabia announced that it will open the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims from other countries from November 1.