Kurdish pilgrims carry the Kurdistan flag while performing Hajj rituals near Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia.
Kurdish pilgrim dies in Medina during Umrah journey at 79
SULAYMANIYAH — A Kurdish pilgrim has died in Saudi Arabia during his Umrah journey at the age of 79, the Kurdistan Region’s Directorate of Hajj and Umrah said Monday.
Spokesperson Karwan Stuni told 964media that Mohammed Qadir, a resident of Bazian district in Sulaymaniyah, died early Monday in Medina. He is scheduled to be buried there.
His wife, one son and two daughters were accompanying him at the time of his death.
Three other pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia while performing Umrah since the beginning of the year. In 2025, 14 Kurdish pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed at any time of year, distinct from the Hajj, which is obligatory for Muslims once in their lifetime during specific dates in the Islamic calendar.