The permits allow Muslims to perform Umrah or lesser pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Ramadan, which ended earlier this week, is usually the peak season for Umrah rituals and visiting the Prophet Mohammad’s Mosque in Medina.
Performing prayers at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site, does not require a permit, while an official permit is still mandatory for undertaking Umrah.
The ministry said on Twitter that around 146,736 permits were issued during the lunar month for Muslim men and 116,045 for women to visit Al Rawdah Al Sharifa where the burial place of the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, is located at his mosque in Medina.
Saudi Arabia has seen an influx of pilgrims during Ramadan.
The country has recently eased measures for performing Umrah after largely relaxing restrictions against COVID-19.
Authorities have lifted several precautionary measures including cancellations of permits for praying at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet Mohammad’s Mosque.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also said the immunization check to enter both holy sites has been scrapped for all worshippers.
Source: GNews