Hajj , Pandemic and the Pilgrims

 

Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

announced that this year Hajj pilgrimage will be

limited to 60,000 Kingdom’s residents and

nationals due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Ministry's handout, due to the con-

tinuing developments of the coronavirus pandemic

and the emergence of new mutations, Hajj registration

will be limited to residents and citizens from inside

the Kingdom only. The Kingdom's Hajj ministry fur-

ther said that the current year Hajj applicants must

observe the coronavirus SOPs. While sorting out cri-

teria regarding the pandemic, it was said that the

applicants will be between the ages of 18-65 and must

be fully vaccinated. In case of absence of full vacci-

nation, an individual must receive their first dose at

least 14 days prior, or those who are vaccinated and

have recovered from a COVID-19 infection can reg-

ister for the Hajj during the upcoming Hajj season. 

Hajj is the fifth pillars of Islam and once in a life-

time obligated duty of every Muslim who can afford

it both financially and physically. Each year millions

of Muslims pilgrims across the world reach Makkah

to perform hajj, however, emergence of coronavirus

pandemic has badly interrupted this over centuries

continuous practice of Muslim Ummah together in the

holy City of Makkah to undertake this religious duty.

According to statistics, each year more than 25 lacs

Muslim perform hajj. This is the world's biggest reli-

gious tourism and a major source of income for the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, last year

millions of the desirous Muslims could not perform

hajj due to pandemics and the same has been

announced by the Saudi authorities regarding current

year. Muslim across the globe were hoping for some

positive gesture from Saudi government and were

preparing for hajj. 

Certainly, it would be a shock for them, however

no one could be blamed for that. Saudi Authorities

categorically said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

always prioritizes the safety, health, and security of

pilgrims. Therefore, in the large interest of the

Muslim Ummah, Saudi government allowed only

limited numbers of Saudi residents to perform hajj.

However, Allah almighty only wants sincerity and

resolve and surely Allah will give a better alterna-

tive to the people who cannot perform hajj due to

pandemic.