Six million pilgrims have visited Mecca since the beginning of the Umrahpilgrimage season in February and Egyptians have comprised the largest contingent from any nation, Saudi Arabia's Hajj minister Bandar El-Haggar said Wednesday.

There are currently half a million pilgrims from 70 countries in Mecca, added El-Haggar.

The number of pilgrims has increased by half a million this year, according to the Saudi National Committee for Pilgrimage.

According to the deputy head of the pilgrimage committee, Abdallah El-Qady, the average cost of pilgrimage services offered during the last days of Ramadan is much higher than that offered during the first twenty days.

The number of pilgrims is expected to increase during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Egypt's total travel expense outflows in July 2011–March 2012 are estimated to be $ 1.9 billion, most of which is spent going to the oil-rich kingdom during the pilgrimage season.



TheUmrah is apilgrimagetoMeccaperformed byMuslimsthat can be undertaken at any time of the year. It is sometimes called the 'minor pilgrimage' or 'lesser pilgrimage'. TheHajjis the 'major' pilgrimage and is compulsory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. The Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended.

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