East Azerbaijan Hajj and Pilgrimage News Agency

The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation has announced that preparations for Umrah pilgrimages are underway, with departures expected to commence in the second half of October.

The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation has announced that the operational preparations for Umrah pilgrimages are now in place. He stated that with the completion of planning, accommodation and catering contracts, and other administrative tasks, it is hoped that the process of dispatching Umrah pilgrims will begin in the second half of October.

Ali Reza Rashidian, speaking at a meeting of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation's board of directors, noted that various aspects of the Umrah operation, including accommodation and catering, are currently being finalised, and the necessary preparations for sending pilgrims from the country have been made.

Explaining that the organisation is currently in the technical phase of finalising flight schedules for Umrah, he said: 'This technical matter is being pursued between the Islamic Republic of Iran Airlines and the Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority so that as soon as flight slots are obtained from the host country, the process of notifying the public regarding caravan registration can take place.'

Highlighting the importance of pilgrimage and religious travel in strengthening friendship and solidarity among Muslim nations and countries, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation added: 'Religious affairs are exempt from sanctions, even those imposed by the UN Security Council, and should not be influenced by the restrictions of illegal US sanctions.' He expressed hope that, with the cooperation of the relevant parties—much like the resolution of flight issues at Najaf Airport in Iraq—Saudi Arabia will issue the necessary technical flight permits as soon as possible so that the Umrah pilgrimage programme can proceed without interruption.

Rashidian further emphasised: 'In this regard, the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation is seriously pursuing the creation of conditions to begin these departures, and we hope that through the efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the esteemed Saudi Ambassador to Iran, flight permits for Iranian Umrah pilgrims will be issued and announced as quickly as possible.'