Madinah: Governor of Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz opened the third edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum at the King Salman International Convention Center, where it runs from March 30 to April 1, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program. Speaking at the opening, the governor affirmed that serving pilgrims is a deep-rooted commitment established since the Kingdom's founding and upheld by successive leaderships.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the forum is gaining importance as a global platform that brings together experts, stakeholders, and investors to exchange expertise, explore opportunities, and shape the future of the Umrah and Ziyarah sector in support of Saudi Vision 2030 targets. During the event, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah revealed that the number of overseas Umrah pilgrims exceeded 18 million between 2022 and 2025, representing a 214% increase, with satisfaction levels reaching 94% in 2025.
The governor also inaugurated the King Abdulaziz Foundation's Historical Atlas of the Prophetic Biography. Additionally, he launched a naming initiative for neighborhoods and streets within the Rua Al Madinah project, using historically documented names to preserve the area's cultural and urban identity near the Prophet's Mosque. The ceremony concluded with the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as the presentation of Umrah and Ziyarah Forum awards to distinguished organizations and Umrah companies.
