Masjid al-Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Makkah, will open for pilgrims today (October 4) after seven months, as Saudi authorities have allowed people to perform Umrah from today (Sunday). 

The first Umrah in seven months will be performed at 07:00 AM on October 4. The local administration did a mock exercise before the arrival of pilgrims at Baitullah. 

Now 6,000 people will be performing Umrah in groups on a daily basis and every group will consist of 1,000 pilgrims. High-resolution cameras have been installed at the entrances to Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi. The Mataf area will be reserved for Tawaf only, while prayers will be offered inside the complex at the Masjid al-Haram. Pilgrims in every group will be given three hours to complete their Umrah. Pakistani citizens are likely to get permission to perform Umrah from 15th of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. 

As soon as Saudi authorities announced the resumption of Umrah, 250,000 people registered for the pilgrimage via app in the first week. 

Masjid al-Haram was closed for Umrah pilgrims towards the end of February this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.