Riyadh (UNA-OIC) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced a decision to limit registration for those wishing to perform 1442 AH Hajj rituals to citizens and residents inside the Kingdom only, with a total number of 60,000 pilgrims.
The decision comes in light of the continued developments of the coronavirus pandemic across the world and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, the ministry said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday.
It stressed that those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of chronic diseases, aged 18 to 65, and vaccinated against COVID-19, in accordance with the applicable instructions and procedures in Saudi Arabia for immunization categories.
“The Ministry affirms that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia always places great care and attention on the safety, health and security of pilgrims, and places this at the forefront of its priorities,” the statement reads.
“In compliance with the purposes of Islamic Sharia in preserving the human soul, while providing all the necessary services to facilitate the performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals for pilgrims, the Kingdom has had the honor to serve more than 150 million pilgrims during the past 10 years,” it added.
The competent Saudi authorities have worked to monitor the global health situation, in light of the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, in order to ensure a healthy atmosphere for the performance of the Hajj rituals.
The ministry will launch an electronic path for the citizens and residents intending to perform the 1442 AH Hajj, with the view to ensure the performance of rituals in good health, security and safety, while adhering to regulatory controls, health standards and security requirements in all stages of performing the obligatory prayers.
