Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be made year-round. Mu’tamars, or pilgrims, travel to Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia from around the world to perform religious rites.

Thirty-two Muslim Harvard undergraduates embarked on the University’s second Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, over winter break — one of two religious pilgrimages within the Muslim faith.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has authorised 11 tour operators to arrange Umrah trips from Qatar to Saudi Arabia. “A list of 11 authori ...