Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah pilgrims from around the world at his personal expense during the 1448 AH season. The initiative falls under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, and will be carried out by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. According to Saudi officials, the program will unfold in four phases across the year, beginning with pilgrims from Asia.
How the program will be rolled out
The first phase will host 250 pilgrims drawn from 16 Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, China, and Mongolia. The remaining guests will arrive in subsequent phases over the course of 1448 AH, allowing the program to spread its hospitality across the season rather than concentrating it in a single period.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, who serves as the program's general supervisor, expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Muslims worldwide. He said the initiative reflects the Kingdom's commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, strengthening bonds of brotherhood among Muslim communities, and enabling worshippers to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites with ease.
A long-running tradition of hospitality
The Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program is one of the Kingdom's most established charitable initiatives. Each year it invites pilgrims, often including relatives of those killed or injured in conflict, scholars, and community figures, to perform Hajj or Umrah fully funded by the state. Guests typically receive flights, accommodation, transport, guided visits to the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, and educational programs on the rites of pilgrimage.
For many recipients, the invitation removes the financial and logistical barriers that can otherwise place the journey out of reach. The program also carries a diplomatic dimension, building goodwill between Saudi Arabia and Muslim communities across Asia, Africa, and beyond. By drawing this year's first phase from a wide span of Asian nations, organisers signalled the broad geographic reach the initiative aims to maintain.
Part of a busy Umrah season
The announcement comes as the 1448 AH Umrah season gathers pace. Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Umrah visas at the end of May, with pilgrims able to enter Makkah and obtain permits through the Nusuk application. Authorities have set out a full calendar of entry and departure deadlines stretching into early 2027, and have introduced a range of digital services to manage the millions of worshippers expected over the months ahead.
Against that backdrop, the hosting of 1,000 guests is a relatively small but symbolically significant gesture. It underlines the role the Kingdom assigns itself as caretaker of the Two Holy Mosques and host to pilgrims from every corner of the Muslim world. Officials have repeatedly framed such programs as an expression of that responsibility rather than a routine administrative measure.
What pilgrims should take from the announcement
For the wider public, the program is a reminder that several pathways exist for those hoping to perform Umrah, including sponsored and charitable routes alongside standard commercial packages. Pilgrims who believe they may qualify for state hospitality programs, often nominated through their home countries' religious authorities or Saudi diplomatic missions, should make enquiries early, as selection processes and quotas are set well in advance.
For everyone else, the season's opening is a good moment to plan ahead. Pilgrims are advised to secure their Umrah visas in good time, confirm hotel bookings linked to the Nusuk platform, and familiarise themselves with the entry and departure deadlines published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Early preparation helps avoid the last-minute pressure that can build as the season progresses and demand rises across Makkah and Madinah.