World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
India helps stranded Umrah pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia
Indian officials are helping Umrah pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia amid a regional security situation.
Umrah is a pilgrimage Muslims can make to the holy cities of Makkah and Madina at any time of year.
The Ministry of External Affairs said about 3,000 stranded pilgrims returned over the past week on available flights.
It also said more than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims who had booked available flights returned during that period.
Minister Kiren Rijiju said affected pilgrims had reached India safely, while others awaiting assistance were being helped.
Indian missions are working with airlines and tour operators to arrange returns, and have set up round-the-clock helplines in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Officials say arrangements for the remaining pilgrims are being discussed, but no timetable was given.
Indian authorities said stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned safely from Saudi Arabia, while arrangements continued for others needing help.
The Ministry of External Affairs said about 3,000 stranded pilgrims had travelled back to India over the preceding week on available flights.
More than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims who had booked available flights had also returned, according to the ministry.
Indian diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah were coordinating with airlines and tour operators and operating round-the-clock help lines.
Asaduddin Owaisi said 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stuck in Makkah and Madina and called for urgent action to help them return.
- Who
- Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia, with Indian authorities assisting them.
- What
- The Indian government said pilgrims had returned safely and was helping others return home.
- When
- The MEA gave an update on October 22, 2026; Kiren Rijiju said on Friday, October 23, that affected pilgrims had returned safely.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia, including Makkah, Madina, Riyadh and Jeddah; pilgrims were returning to India.
- Why
- A regional security situation and suspended flights affected pilgrims’ travel.
Indian government and diplomatic missions
Asaduddin Owaisi
Response to stranded pilgrims
Indian government and diplomatic missions
The government said missions were coordinating with airlines and tour operators, providing welfare assistance and arranging returns.
Asaduddin Owaisi
Owaisi said pilgrims had been abandoned by their travel agents and called for urgent intervention and support.
Return arrangements
Indian government and diplomatic missions
The MEA said about 3,000 stranded pilgrims had returned on available flights and arrangements for others were being discussed.
Asaduddin Owaisi
Owaisi called for larger aircraft or specified flights to bring stranded pilgrims back.
About 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims travelled from Saudi Arabia to India on available flights.
The MEA said Indian missions were engaging with airlines and tour operators to facilitate pilgrims’ return.
Kiren Rijiju said stranded pilgrims had returned safely and that other pilgrims were being assisted.
- Stranded pilgrims returned
- About 3,000 over the preceding week, according to the MEA
- Other Umrah pilgrims returned
- More than 10,000
- Indian Embassy, Riyadh
- +966-554412016; +966-542126784
- Consulate General, Jeddah
- +966-12-2614093; +966-556122301
- Pilgrims reported stuck by Owaisi
- 4,000 in Makkah and Madina
3 sources
What people are saying
Our Embassy in Riyadh @IndianEmbRiyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah @CGIJeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims.
Over the past week, about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled from Saudi Arabia back to India on available flights.
The Indian pilgrims have been abandoned by their travel agents. This needs your urgent intervention; in the meanwhile necessary support must be provided to the stranded pilgrims.
The stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely, in addition to more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who have returned earlier.