Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the cancellation of international pilgrims to this year’s Hajj.
In a communique released today, Saturday June 12, the Saudi authorities announced that participation in this year’s Hajj will be limited to citizens and residents only.
The decision means only Muslims resident in the Kingdom can participate in Hajj for the second successive year due to the globally-hit coronavirus pandemic.
International pilgrims werw also barred from participating in last year’s Hajj due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
With vaccines found and many countries having undertaken vaccination programmes, expectations had been that there would have been a limited International participation.
But Saudi authorities are threading on the side of caution and have chosen to continue with the internatiomal ban.
Saudi’s Ministry of Hajj alongside the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health attributed this year’s suspension to rising COVID-19 cases with multiple mutations as a reason for limiting Hajj to locals once again.
Even for the limited locals, the Ministry of Hajj added that those who intend to participate in the Hajj need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least one dose or have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months.
Also, selection local pilgrims will be prioritized for those who haven’t performed Hajj in the last five years.
