First foreign hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia since COVID pandemic

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed its first batch of hajj pilgrims since earlier than the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted authorities to sharply prohibit the annual ritual.

The group from Indonesia landed within the metropolis of Medina and was set to journey south to the holy metropolis of Mecca within the coming weeks to organize for the hajj subsequent month, state media reported.

“Right this moment we obtained the primary group of this yr’s pilgrims from Indonesia, and the flights will proceed from Malaysia and India,” Mohammed al-Bijawi of the nation’s Hajj Ministry advised the state-run Al-Ekhbariya channel.

“Right this moment we’re completely happy to obtain the company of God from outdoors the dominion, after a two-year interruption as a result of pandemic,” he added, describing Saudi Arabia as “totally ready” to accommodate them.

One of many 5 pillars of Islam, the hajj have to be undertaken by all Muslims who’ve the means no less than as soon as of their lives.

Normally one of many world’s largest spiritual gatherings, about 2.5 million individuals participated in 2019.

However after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Saudi authorities introduced they might solely let 1,000 pilgrims participate.

The next yr, they elevated the full to 60,000 totally vaccinated Saudi residents and residents chosen by way of a lottery.

Barring abroad pilgrims triggered deep disappointment amongst Muslims worldwide, who sometimes save for years to participate.

In April, the dominion introduced it could allow a million Muslims from inside and outdoors the nation to take part on this yr’s hajj, which can happen in July.

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The hajj consists of a collection of non secular rites which can be accomplished over 5 days in Islam’s holiest metropolis, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.

Internet hosting the hajj is a matter of status for Saudi rulers, because the custodianship of Islam’s holiest websites is essentially the most highly effective supply of their political legitimacy.

Earlier than the pandemic, Muslim pilgrimages have been main income earners for the dominion, bringing in about $12 billion yearly.

This yr’s pilgrimage shall be restricted to vaccinated Muslims underneath age 65, the hajj ministry has mentioned.

These coming from outdoors Saudi Arabia, who should apply for hajj visas, are required to submit a damaging COVID-19 PCR consequence from a take a look at taken inside 72 hours of journey.

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