President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai leaves to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in Mecca, where he is also intended to meet the Saudi officials.

The president of Afghanistan is expected to visit Mecca to perform Umrah the Saudi officials, including the Saudi King besides performing Umrah, The President Palace media office said. It is very common in Muslim world that leaders of the Islamic world used to perform Umrah while they had to have meetings with Saudi officials of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Palace following a statement said President Ghani is accompanied by a delegation of high level government officials, including first vice-president Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and Eng. Mohammad Khan, first deputy of the chief executive officer.

Moreover, according to the Presidential Palace, this is first foreign trip of President Ashraf Ghani to Saudia as per his promise he made during the presidential inauguration. This is not the first time any president to offer Umrah along with official visit to meet Saudi officials, as former president of Pakistan, and the gen.cheif of army staff, Pervaiz Musharraf also medaled to visit officials along with intension to male Umrah.

However, Ghani’s special envoy for reform and better governance Ahmad Zia Massoud, national security adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar, acting foreign minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani, Ulema Council chief Mawlavi Qeyamuddin Kashaf, high peace council secretary Masoom Stanikzai and presidential spokesman Nazifull Salarzai also joining Umrah with him.