Iranian Umrah pilgrims fly to Saudi Arabia after nine-year gap
The first group of Iranian Umrah pilgrims in nine years travelled to Saudi Arabia yesterday, following the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries last year.
Eleven flights from as many airports in Iran took off for Saudi Arabia, Iran’s official news agency reported, citing Mohammad Ajilian, who is in charge of Hajj operations at Iran Airports Company. Iran and Saudi Arabia restored relations in March of last year under a Chinese-mediated agreement, following their severance in 2016.
Iranian media said in December the kingdom had lifted restrictions on Iranians wishing to perform Umrah.
However, flights were delayed due to what Tehran referred to as “technical problems”.
Under the agreement to restore relations, both countries had agreed to resume flights and bilateral visits of official and private sector delegations.
The first flight yesterday departed from Mashhad, followed by others from Zahedan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Yazd, Kerman, Bandar Abbas, Sari, Isfahan and Shiraz. The final flight is scheduled from Mashhad on May 2.
Iran suspended flights to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrims in April 2015, after allegations that Saudi security officers assaulted two Iranian pilgrims travelling through Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport on their return from Makkah.
In September that year, a stampede during Hajj resulted in 769 deaths, with 464 of those killed being Iranian pilgrims.
Before ties were restored, Iranians had only been able to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which all Muslims are expected to undertake at least once, subject to strict quotas imposed by each country.
Umrah can be performed at any time and is not considered compulsory.
Under the restoration of ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen embassies and consulates and reinstate 20-year-old economic agreements.
Iran reopened its diplomatic missions in Riyadh last June, with consulate services in Jeddah also resuming shortly after.