For Muslims around the world, Hajj and Umrah represent far more than a physical journey. Travelling to the holy city of Makkah and the sacred Kaaba is considered a deeply emotional and spiritual experience centered on repentance, devotion, and seeking closeness to Allah.

However, despite the significance of the pilgrimage, many first-time travelers encounter challenges due to a lack of preparation or guidance. Religious scholars and experienced pilgrims say careful planning can make the journey more organized, comfortable, and spiritually rewarding.

Here are 15 important recommendations for pilgrims preparing for Hajj or Umrah:

1. Choose an Experienced Religious Guide

Pilgrims, particularly first-timers, are advised to travel under the supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced Muallim or guide familiar with the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Experts warn that inadequate guidance can create confusion regarding religious obligations.

2. Verify the Travel Agency

Travelers using private Hajj services should ensure the agency is licensed and affiliated with the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB). Pilgrims are also encouraged to review previous customer experiences and visit agency offices directly to confirm hotel distance from the Haram, package costs, and assigned guides.

Authorities further advise pilgrims to verify Hajj registration information through official SMS confirmation and the government portal at:
Bangladesh Hajj Portal

3. Select Packages Carefully

Package prices can vary significantly, largely depending on hotel proximity to Masjid al-Haram. Hotels located closer to the mosque are generally more expensive. Pilgrims with health limitations or difficulty walking may prefer nearby accommodation, while others may opt for more affordable hotels farther away.

4. Manage Saudi Riyals Wisely

Pilgrims are encouraged to carry necessary Saudi currency without exchanging excessive amounts at once. Exchange services are widely available in Makkah and Madinah, though rates may differ. Many travelers also rely on trusted expatriates for currency exchange. Keeping money in a secure neck pouch or waist bag is strongly recommended.

5. Organize Bags and Footwear Properly

Experts suggest carrying:

• A small pouch for passports, money, and important documents
• A lightweight shoulder bag for prayer mats, umbrellas, and water bottles
• Minimal luggage inside the Haram to avoid security restrictions

6. Purchase SIM Cards Early

Travelers planning short Umrah visits are advised to buy Saudi SIM cards at the beginning of their trip to avoid costly recharge fees later. Many packages include local talk time and internet access.

7. Prepare for Getting Lost

Pilgrims should:

• Save fellow travelers’ phone numbers
• Carry hotel cards at all times
• Contact their group immediately if separated

8. Carry Essential Supplies

Recommended items include fragrance-free soap, tissues, lotion, umbrellas, folding prayer mats, reusable water containers, razors, and compact travel bags.

9. Bring Necessary Medication

Pilgrims are encouraged to bring personal medicines from their home country, along with basic first-aid supplies that may also help fellow travelers.

10. Separate Luggage by Purpose

Travel experts recommend using:

• Checked baggage for heavy items
• Hand luggage for essential belongings
• A small bag for documents and valuables

11. Understand Ihram Timing

Pilgrims travelling directly to Jeddah or Makkah must enter Ihram before crossing designated Miqat boundaries. Scholars advise delaying the formal intention of Ihram until flight confirmation to avoid unnecessary hardship caused by delays.

12. Prepare for Mina

Pilgrims staying in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat should pack lightly due to extensive walking and outdoor conditions. Only essential items, water, and dry food are recommended during these stages.

13. Collect Pebbles in Muzdalifah

Pilgrims should gather approximately 70 pebbles in Muzdalifah for the symbolic stoning ritual at Jamarat. Small mats or bedding sheets are also recommended for the overnight outdoor stay.

14. Avoid Large Bags at Jamarat

Authorities often restrict large bags near the stoning area. Pilgrims are advised to carry only small pouches containing the required pebbles.

15. Special Allowances for Women, Elderly, and Sick Pilgrims

Islamic scholars note that women, elderly individuals, and people with illnesses may receive certain concessions during Hajj rituals, including:

• Using wheelchairs during Tawaf
• Exemption from brisk walking rituals
• Flexible arrangements for Mina and Muzdalifah stays
• Combining stoning rituals on selected days
• Completing certain rituals in advance where permitted

Religious experts say thoughtful preparation, physical readiness, and proper guidance can significantly reduce stress during Hajj and Umrah, allowing pilgrims to focus more fully on worship and spiritual reflection.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is moving into a new growth cycle as airlines expand their fleets and strengthen regional and international connectivity, supported largely by new narrowbody aircraft orders.

This rapid expansion is expected to significantly increase the need for trained pilots across the region. Industry projections from the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook estimate that the Middle East will require more than 58,000 new pilots over the next 20 years as carriers scale up operations and route networks.

Saudi Arabia is expected to account for a large portion of that demand, reflecting its ongoing investment in aviation development and airline capacity growth.

The pressure is not limited to the region. Global forecasts show similar trends across key markets. CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast suggests North America could need over 130,000 pilots by 2032, while the Asia-Pacific region may face a shortfall of more than 250,000 pilots.

Aviation experts say this simultaneous expansion is placing significant strain on global training systems and simulator capacity.

Martynas Mazeika, Chief Growth Officer at BAA Training, part of Avia Solutions Group, said the pace of airline expansion is reshaping training requirements. He noted that as new aircraft enter service each year, demand for qualified pilots is rising in parallel, requiring airlines to rely on scalable training partnerships and international resources.

He added that access to simulator capacity and flexible training programs is becoming increasingly important for airlines managing long-term fleet growth.

Based on Boeing’s estimates and standard requirements of around 200 flight hours per pilot, training more than 58,000 pilots in the Middle East would require roughly 11.6 million flight training hours.

By comparison, a typical flight academy operating around ten training aircraft generates only about 12,000 to 15,000 hours annually, underscoring the scale of capacity expansion needed to meet demand.

Simulator training presents a similar challenge. Preparing pilots would require approximately 1.1 million hours on full flight simulators. With each simulator typically delivering 5,000 to 6,000 training hours per year, industry capacity will need to expand significantly.

Mazeika said fleet expansion is not limited to the Middle East, pointing out that airlines in North America, India, and Southeast Asia are also increasing aircraft orders. He stressed that access to global training infrastructure is becoming a key factor in supporting airline growth strategies.

As Saudi carriers continue to grow their narrowbody fleets, demand is expected to rise for type rating and recurrent training, which prepare pilots for new aircraft and maintain operational standards as networks expand.

BAA Training currently provides type rating, recurrent training, and simulator-based programs through its global network of training centres and partners.

With aviation expansion accelerating across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, industry stakeholders say that scalable training systems and international cooperation will be essential to keep pilot supply aligned with fleet growth.

Source: ZAWYA

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated that international pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa specifically issued for the pilgrimage. Officials stressed that entry for Hajj will not be allowed under any other visa category, including visit, transit, Umrah, or tourist visas.

For citizens and residents inside the Kingdom, Hajj arrangements are processed through the Nusuk, following completion of the official reservation procedures.

The ministry further stated that all bookings must be made strictly through approved and authorized platforms. It cautioned pilgrims against engaging with unofficial agents or unverified channels when arranging Hajj participation.

Source: Saudi Gazette

The Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia) has announced a new regulatory framework detailing violations and penalties for hospitality providers operating in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah during the Hajj season. The measures are designed to strengthen service quality for pilgrims and ensure consistent compliance across the sector.

According to the ministry, the Hajj season officially extends each year from the first day of Dhul Qadah until mid-Muharram. Under the updated rules, penalties will escalate for repeated violations, whether they occur before, during, or after the pilgrimage period.

If an offense committed during Hajj is a repeat of a previous violation, authorities will impose either the minimum fine (if it is higher than the earlier penalty) or double the previous amount if it is lower. Within the same season, any repeated breach will automatically result in doubled fines. Violations repeated after the season, but linked to Hajj-related offenses, will also face progressively higher penalties depending on frequency.

The regulations further state that repeated non-financial violations may lead to temporary suspension or closure of facilities during the Hajj period. A third recurrence could result in full license revocation. Authorities have emphasized a phased enforcement approach, allowing fines to be increased for repeat offenses while remaining within the maximum legal limit.

Hospitality establishments have been divided into five classifications, ranging from luxury five-star hotels to unclassified and temporary accommodations used specifically for pilgrims. Penalties are also adjusted according to business size, with micro enterprises fined at 25% of the base rate, small businesses at 50%, medium enterprises at 75%, and large establishments at 100%.

Financial penalties in Makkah and Madinah range between SAR 2,000 and SAR 14,000, alongside additional measures such as temporary closure or permanent license cancellation for repeated violations. For temporary Hajj accommodation providers, fines are significantly broader, ranging from SAR 1,000 to SAR 50,000, with enforcement actions including suspension until compliance is achieved or full revocation of operating licenses.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi Railways (SAR) has expanded its freight operations with the introduction of five new logistics routes, further developing an integrated national transport network designed to enhance cargo efficiency across the Kingdom and beyond.

The new corridors link Arabian Gulf ports with Saudi Arabia’s central and northern regions, while also extending connectivity toward Red Sea ports and neighbouring countries to the north. By combining rail and road transport, the system is intended to improve supply chain performance and ensure smoother movement of goods across key domestic and international trade routes.

Operations are coordinated through a unified logistics framework that includes the Riyadh Dry Port, along with SAR freight facilities in Dammam, Jubail, Ras Al Khair, Al Kharj, Hail, and Qurayyat. These hubs are connected to major ports on both the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coasts, strengthening links between industrial zones, economic centres, and global shipping networks.

The routes are designed to handle a wide variety of cargo, supporting national supply chains and key industries such as petrochemicals and mining. They are also expected to facilitate more efficient import and export flows, while improving transit options for regional markets.

According to Dr. Bashar Al-Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Railways (SAR), the initiative offers a comprehensive logistics solution aimed at improving supply chain reliability and efficiency under varying operational conditions. He highlighted that the system relies on multimodal integration and close coordination with relevant authorities to ensure seamless freight movement.

He further noted that the expanded network strengthens Saudi Arabia’s links with regional and global markets, reinforcing its strategic role as a trade corridor between East and West. This, he added, supports the Kingdom’s ambition to develop into a leading global logistics hub and a key participant in international trade flows.

The new routes are expected to serve a broad customer base, including major industrial firms, mining companies, and international shipping operators. By offering integrated transport services, the system aims to reduce delivery times and improve overall operational efficiency.

In addition, the initiative is projected to remove thousands of heavy trucks from highways, contributing to improved road safety, lower carbon emissions, and faster freight movement, further solidifying SAR’s role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving transport and logistics ecosystem.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi Arabia recorded its highest-ever annual international tourism spending in 2025, with overseas visitors contributing SR159.9 billion to the economy. The figure marks a 4.1 percent increase from SR153.6 billion reported in 2024, reflecting steady growth in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

The surge in visitor expenditure was mirrored in the country’s balance of payments, where the travel account posted a surplus of around SR49.4 billion for the year. This outcome highlights tourism’s expanding role in strengthening national economic performance and improving key financial indicators.

The upward trend builds on strong momentum from 2024, when international visitor spending reached SR153.6 billion. Continued investment in tourism infrastructure, destination development, and service enhancements has supported this growth, positioning the sector as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts.

Source: Saudi Gazette