Saudi Arabia: First batch of foreign Hajj pilgrims since pandemic arrive in Medina

Saudi Arabia welcomed its first batch of overseas Hajj pilgrims because the begin of the  Covid-19 pandemic, which had prompted authorities to sharply limit numbers for the annual pilgrimage. 

Mohammed al-Bijawi, from the nation’s Hajj ministry, instructed the state-run Al-Ekhbariya channel: “In the present day we acquired the primary group of this 12 months’s pilgrims from Indonesia, and the flights will proceed from Malaysia and India.

“In the present day we’re completely satisfied to obtain the friends of God from outdoors the dominion, after a two-year interruption as a result of pandemic.”

Bijawi described the dominion as “absolutely ready” to accommodate them. 

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 arrange for Hajj subsequent month.

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom to permit a million pilgrims at Hajj

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Because the pandemic started in 2020, Saudi authorities introduced they might let only one,000 pilgrims take part.

In 2021, the quantity was elevated to 60,000 absolutely vaccinated Saudi residents and residents chosen by means of a lottery. 

Hajj, one of many 5 pillars of Islam, is often one of many world’s largest spiritual gatherings. Round 2.5 million individuals took half in 2019. 

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

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It additionally a major income for the dominion, bringing in round $12bn yearly.

Deep disappointment

Barring abroad pilgrims as a Covid-19 precaution triggered deep disappointment amongst Muslims worldwide. 

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia introduced in April that it might allow a million Muslims, together with individuals outdoors of the nation, to take part on this 12 months’s pilgrimage, which can happen in July. 

This 12 months’s pilgrimage can be restricted to vaccinated Muslims underneath the age of 65, the Hajj ministry mentioned. 

These outdoors Saudi Arabia, who should apply for Hajj visas, are required to submit a destructive Covid-19 PCR outcome from a take a look at taken inside 72 hours of journey.