MECCA — Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa concluded a landmark Umrah pilgrimage on February 3, 2025 on Monday, marked by entry into the Kaaba during his visit to the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
This is his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since the restoration of bilateral ties, was accompanied by heightened security measures, including a temporary perimeter around the Kaaba to ensure safety during the high-profile ritual.
Dressed in traditional Ihram garments, President Al-Sharaa performed Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) before being granted access to the interior of the Kaaba—a privilege reserved for dignitaries and select guests.
Saudi authorities facilitated the visit, deploying additional security personnel and closing off sections of the mosque to accommodate the Syrian delegation.
The Saudi government implemented a temporary security perimeter around the Kaaba during Al-Sharaa’s Umrah, a protocol often activated for visiting heads of state.
Pilgrims reported increased patrols and brief closures of specific prayer areas, though worship resumed normally shortly afterward.
Earlier this year, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Syria—the first such trip in over a decade—to discuss cooperation on trade, energy, and regional stability.
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