(Riyadh) Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that it would allow one million Muslims, Saudis or from around the world, to participate in the hajj pilgrimage this year, a figure up sharply from previous years, marked by the outbreak of COVID-19.
Posted at 10:12 p.m.
The Ministry of Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, “has authorized one million pilgrims, foreign or domestic, to perform the hajj this year,” he said in a statement.
The government wants to ensure the safety of pilgrims “while ensuring that as many Muslims around the world as possible can perform the hajj”, the statement continued.
One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be performed by all Muslims who can afford it at least once in their lifetime.
Usually one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, around 2.5 million people attended in 2019.
After the start of the pandemic in 2020, Saudi authorities only allowed 1,000 pilgrims to participate. The following year, they allowed 60,000 fully vaccinated residents chosen by lottery.
These restrictions fueled resentment among Muslims abroad who were not allowed to participate.
According to the announcement on Saturday, this year’s hajj will be limited to vaccinated pilgrims under the age of 65.
Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia will need to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old.
The hajj is a series of religious rites performed over five days in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.
Hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for Saudi leaders, with responsibility for Islam’s holiest sites establishing their political legitimacy.