Tashkent, Oct. 5 -- Millions of Muslims from around the world usually descend on Saudi Arabia for the umrah and haj Islamic pilgrimages.

The two share common rites, but the haj, held once a year, is the main lengthier ritual that is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for Muslims.

Saudi Arabia, which held a largely symbolic haj earlier this year limited to domestic worshippers, has allowed citizens and residents to start performing umrah as of Sunday at 30% capacity, or 6,000 pilgrims a day.

It will open for Muslims from abroad starting Nov. 1.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from UzReport....