No foreign pilgrims for this year Haj

Announcing the Haj policy on Saturday, the ministry of Haj and Umrah said that in light of the continuation of coronavirus pandemic and emergence of new mutations, it has been decided that Haj

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia has announced the much announced Haj policy for the year 2021 where it has barred the entry of pilgrims from abroad and Haj this year will be limited to only to those people living in Saudi Arabia.

Announcing the Haj policy on Saturday, the ministry of Haj and Umrah said that in light of the continuation of coronavirus pandemic and emergence of new mutations, it has been decided that Haj for the year 2021 will be held whereby 60,000 number of pilgrims from all nationalities including Saudi citizens who already reside in Saudi Arabia, would be able to perform it.

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Last year also, the ministry barred entry of foreign pilgrims to safeguard public health.

India and other countries have been waiting for some time now for a policy of Haj for the year 2021 amid the emergence of coronavirus.

The ministry said that intending Haj pilgrims should be free from chronic diseases and within the age group of 18 to 65 and vaccinated. Also, those who took one shot and completed 14 days and recovered from the virus would be allowed.

The pilgrims will be selected randomly through an automated raffle system after registration. Prior to the pandemic, 25 lakh pilgrims including 2 lakh from India performed Haj in 2019. World Health Organisation and other countries hailed Saudi Arabia decision to limit Haj gathering to safeguard public health.

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