SAUDI ARABIA: Hajj is set to return to some sort of pre-Covid-19 normality this year after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced it will increase capacity to one million pilgrims in 2022.
However, the announcement comes with some major restrictions that will impact many more millions all around the world. The most detrimental of the pre-conditions announced include the limitation of Hujjaj to a maximum age of 65.
It means that many of the elderly, who generally form a large portion of those that undertake the annual pilgrimage, will not be allowed to carry out a Fardh act that they would have saved their entire lives for.
Furthermore, the rules announced also require that those undertaking Hajj to have full immunization with the basic doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the ministry, the Kingdom is keen to resume the season “without any interruptions and to enable the largest number of Muslims around the world to fulfil their religious duties”.
Those attending from abroad must submit a negative PCR test for COVID-19, using a sample taken within 72 hours of departure to Saudi Arabia.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s Hajj was restricted to just 60,000 pilgrims, all coming from within the Kingdom.
South Africa has already confirmed that it had been accepted to send Hujjaj this year, although the quota of pilgrims is yet to be finalised.
Darul Ihsan Media Desk