Saudi Arabia has announced a major relief for Umrah pilgrims by launching a multilingual mobile application that now includes Urdu among its supported languages. The new feature aims to make the Umrah experience smoother and more accessible for millions of pilgrims visiting from Pakistan, India, and other Urdu-speaking countries.
According to official reports, the app will help worshippers easily navigate all aspects of their pilgrimage from visa processing and travel arrangements to prayer schedules and guidance inside the Grand Mosque. By adding Urdu, Saudi authorities have taken a significant step to improve communication and ensure that pilgrims can understand every detail of their journey without language barriers.
Officials from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that this initiative is part of the Kingdom’s broader digital transformation strategy under Vision 2030. The new update, which supports several other regional languages, reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing visitor services and modernizing religious tourism.
The application will also provide pilgrims with real-time updates on crowd management, safety advisories, and service availability in Makkah and Madinah. Authorities believe this will not only improve pilgrims’ experience but also contribute to the efficient management of large gatherings during peak Umrah and Hajj seasons.
Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in recent years to improve the facilities for international pilgrims, including simplified visa procedures, upgraded transport systems, and new online services. The latest digital step shows how technology is being integrated into the religious tourism sector to make spiritual journeys easier, safer, and more inclusive.
Meanwhile, the region continues to face broader humanitarian and political developments. Recently, reports from Sudan revealed that over 1,500 civilians were killed in El Fasher during ongoing clashes, according to humanitarian organizations.
Read about the situation in Sudan and its regional implications.
Experts believe that Saudi Arabia’s focus on innovation in pilgrimage services sends a strong message of progress and inclusion at a time when the region is striving for stability and modernization. The introduction of Urdu support is particularly meaningful for South Asian Muslims, who represent one of the largest groups of annual visitors for Umrah.
With the new update, pilgrims will now be able to perform religious duties with more confidence and convenience, bridging the communication gap that often caused confusion during visits to the Holy Mosques. The move also aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to make Makkah and Madinah smart cities powered by technology and efficient service delivery.
Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts to enhance the Umrah experience reaffirm its position as a global leader in religious tourism management.
