Official: Visa problem for Umrah pilgrims solved

TEHRAN, Mar. 08 (MNA) – Iran’s deputy FM for Arab-African affairs announced the complete resolution of the problems with respect to visa issuance for Umrah pilgrims in the coming days. Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the measures taken to resolve the issues with regards to visa issuance for Iranian nationals visiting the holy city of Mecca for performing Umrah pilgrimage, saying that Saudi embassy and consulate in Mashhad has announced that they have declined the number of their employees, a problem which is now completely solved. He pointed to the latest negotiations between Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi and Suadi officials, dubbing consultations with Saudi Arabian Hajj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar to increase the number of Iranians’ traveling to Mecca to make Umrah (minor pilgrimage) as fruitful. The Umrah is a non-mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims. Unlike the Hajj which is also known as the 'major pilgrimage,' Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year.