Saudi Arabia Mulls Allowing Overseas Hajj Pilgrims
Allowing a small number of pilgrims into the Kingdom under strict health and precautionary measures is an option under discussion, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia’s decision is based on the “country’s keenness to enable the guests and visitors of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” said the ministry.
Last year, about 1,000 pilgrims from across the Kingdom were able to perform their annual pilgrimage to the holy sites under health precautionary measures, with strict social distancing and a complete medical team in attendance.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia is considering banning people from overseas to perform the annual Hajj this year.
Sources informed the news outlet that Saudi Arabia is planning to only allow Saudis and residents in the Persian Gulf country who are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 at least six months before the Hajj rituals.
Usually, millions of people flock to Hajj from across the world. The number is usually estimated at two million and over.
