Iran to send Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia after 9 years.
Iran has announced plans to send more than 5,000 Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant resumption of religious travel after a gap of nine years.
Mohammad-Hossein Ajilian, overseeing Hajj operations at Iran Airports Company, revealed that a total of 11 flights have been scheduled to transport Iranian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage.
Flight Schedule and Departures:
According to reports from IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency), the first flight is set to depart from Mashhad’s international airport on Monday, with subsequent flights originating from other major Iranian cities including Zahedan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Yazd, Kerman, Bandar Abbas, Sari, Isfahan, and Shiraz.
The final flight from Mashhad airport to Saudi Arabia is scheduled for May 2nd.
Pilgrim Count and Details:
This year, Iran plans to send a total of 5,720 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
The resumption of these flights comes after a period of stalled plans due to past disputes between the two countries.
Resolution of Disputes:
The resumption of Umrah flights follows the resolution of disputes between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
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Initial plans announced in December of the previous year did not materialize due to issues, including reports of Saudi Arabia canceling final permits for Iranian planes.
However, these issues have since been resolved, allowing for the planned pilgrimages to proceed.
Diplomatic Developments:
The re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023 has played a crucial role in facilitating this development.
The Umrah pilgrimage had ceased in 2015 following the severance of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The controversy was further exacerbated by the tragic 2015 Hajj stampede, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,000 pilgrims, including over 400 Iranians.
Negotiations and Progress:
As Iran to send Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia after 9 years, negotiations mediated by China have played a pivotal role in resolving tensions and paving the way for the resumption of Umrah pilgrimages.
This development is seen as a positive step towards improving relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, following years of strained diplomatic ties.
