Hyderabad, March 7 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is witnessing a significant rise in Umrah demand as Ramzan approaches, local media reported.

Travel agents recorded a 65 percent rise compared to previous months. Many buses full of pilgrims have departed from the UAE to Makkah.

According to Khaleej Times, Shebeen Rashid, a representative of Bait Al Ateeq Haj Services Company, confirmed that there has been a huge increase in Umrah bookings.

Other travel agents report that 50 pilgrims depart for Umrah every week. "Over a hundred buses depart from different parts of the country to Makkah every Wednesday. Each bus can accommodate nearly 50 passengers," Jaffer Pulappatta, who facilitates groups for the Umrah pilgrimage told Khaleej Times...