Muslims, undertaking Umrah or lesser pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, are advised to deal with authorised barbers at the end of their rites at the Grand Mosque’s Islam holiest site in Mecca on health grounds. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj stressed the importance for the Umrah pilgrims to have their hair cut at designated barbershops around the Grand Mosque also known as the Haram to protect their health and the environment. These places provide safe and healthy services by using sterilised tools. Licensed barbers work there to ensure the Umrah pilgrims’ safety, the ministry added. “The designated places around the Haram guarantee you (the pilgrim] safe and healthy haircut, clean and sterilised tools and medically licensed barbers,” the ministry said in an X post. After completing the Umrah, the male pilgrim must shave his head or cut some of the hair. Women pilgrims are required to cut their hair by the length of a fingertip only, a practice known as taqsir. The current season of Umrah, which can be undertaken around the year, began in late June after the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage that around 1.8 million Muslims from across the globe attended. Around 13.5 Muslims performed Umrah last […]