In a joint statement, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said they were working to ensure Muslims in the country could travel for the umrah pilgrimage.

They welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow foreign pilgrims to enter for up to 10 days, saying they would also study the country’s pilgrimage SOPs.

“The government will do its best for the benefit of the people, especially umrah pilgrims who will be travelling to the holy land in the future. For us, the safety and health of all Malaysian umrah pilgrims are our top priority,” Zulkifli and Hishammuddin said in a joint statement.

Saudi Arabia announced it was reopening its Muslim holy places for the year-round umrah pilgramage, seven months after the Covid-19 pandemic prompted its suspension.

The umrah usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year.

Foreign pilgrims are expected to self-quarantine for three days upon arrival, before being transported to the religious sites.

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