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Umrah and Ziyarah Forum

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Umrah and Ziyarah Forum
StatusActive
GenreTourism, Umrah services, hospitality, travel technology
FrequencyAnnual
LocationsKing Salman International Convention Centre, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Inaugurated22–24 April 2024
Most recent
30 March – 1 April 2026
Attendance50,000 (2026)[1]
Organized byMinistry of Hajj and Umrah
Pilgrim Experience Program
Tahaluf
Websiteumrah-ziyarah.com

The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (Arabic: منتدى العمرة والزيارة) is an annual sector forum and exhibition held in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program (Guests of Rahman Service Program).[2] The forum serves as a platform for discussions on pilgrim services, technologies, partnerships, and visitor experience related to Umrah performers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.[3][4][5][6]

The participants of the event include government entities, tourism organizations, travel operators, hospitality providers, transportation companies, technology firms, and financial service providers specializing in the Umrah and tourism.

History

First edition (2024)

The inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum was held from 22 to 24 April 2024 at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madinah, under the theme "Enriching the Experience of Umrah Performers and Visitors".[7][8][9] The event was organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program[10] and included six discussion sessions and 24 workshops led by 29 specialists.[7][11]

During the opening session, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah announced the launch of a contact centre providing services in nine languages for pilgrim inquiries.[7][12]

The first edition featured several competitive programmes, including the Umrah AI Competition, the Labbaytum Award and a Historical and Enrichment Sites Hackathon linked to Al-sīrah al-nabawiyya (the biography of the Prophet Muhammad).[13]

Second edition (2025)

The second edition was held from April 14 to 16, 2025, at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madinah.[14] Participation included 100 exhibitors representing government agencies, service providers, and nonprofit organizations from 100 countries.[15][16]

The 2025 edition programmes included the Sustainable Solutions Challenge, the Historical Sites Hackathon, organized in partnership with Umm Al-Qura University, Awards in the Innovation Track for Umrah services, and the Labbaytum Award and the Creators Award for innovation.[17]

Third edition (2026)

The third edition was held from 30 March to 1 April 2026 at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madinah,[18] under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan Al Saud, the governor of Madinah.[19] During the event, Prince Salman inaugurated the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives' Historical Atlas of the Prophetic Biography and launched a naming initiative for neighborhoods and streets within the Rua Al Madinah project.[20]

The 2026 edition featured over 150 exhibitors and drew more than 50,000 registrants from 165 countries and resulted in more than 5,400 agreements and memoranda of cooperation across government, private and non-profit entities.[21][22] The knowledge programme comprised 25 main sessions and 40 workshops delivered by more than 160 speakers and trainers.[23][24]

References

  1. "ختام منتدى العمرة والزيارة بالمدينة المنورة". صحيفة الخليج (in Arabic). 7 April 2026.
  2. "Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum focuses on innovative ways to enhance pilgrim experience". Arab News. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  3. "Madinah forum targets improved pilgrim experience". Arab News. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  4. "Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host First-Ever Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah on April 22-24". Saudi Press Agency. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  5. "Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Sessions Focus on Innovation and Visitor Experience". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  6. سبق, صحيفة (2026-04-02). "منتدى العمرة والزيارة 2026 يناقش تحويل رحلة المعتمر إلى تجربة سياحية متكاملة | سبق". صحيفة سبق الإلكترونية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  7. "Madinah forum targets improved pilgrim experience". Arab News. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  8. "Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in April". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  9. Fatima, Sakina (2024-04-17). "Saudi Arabia set to host inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  10. "Umrah forum to be held in Madinah". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  11. "Hajj Ministry to host first Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah". Arab News. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  12. "Al-Rabiah: Over 6.5 million pilgrims perform Umrah during 1Q of 2025". Saudi Gazette. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  13. "Madinah forum targets improved pilgrim experience". Arab News. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  14. "Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Workshops Highlight Advancements to Enhance Pilgrim Services". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  15. "'Visit Saudi' Sponsors Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2025". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  16. "Conclusion of the Second Edition of Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah". The Print. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  17. East, Forbes Middle. "Saudi Arabia Successfully Conducts Umrah And Ziyarah Forum In Madinah". Forbes ME. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  18. "انطلاق منتدى العمرة والزيارة بحضور دولي لتعزيز تجربة ضيوف الرحمن". العربية (in Arabic). 2026-03-29. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  19. "Madinah gears up for 3rd Umrah & Ziyarah Forum". Arab News. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  20. "Serving pilgrims is Kingdom's deep-rooted commitment, says Madinah governor". Arab News. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  21. "Third Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Concludes in Madinah". Pilgrim Experience Program. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  22. "Hundreds of Agreements Signed at Umrah Forum to Enhance Pilgrim Services". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  23. "AI takes center stage at Umrah and Ziyarah Forum". Arab News. 2026-04-01. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  24. "Third Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Concludes in Madinah". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-24.