Saudi Arabia to ban International Hajj 2021 for the second time in the row. This will also barred international pilgrims to take part.
As the cases of covid-19 Are rising globally, Saudi Arabia is planning to ban international pilgrims from hajj and Saudi Arabia is also concerned about the spread of new variants, as reported by the sources on Wednesday.
However, It is stated by officials that, no final decision has been made by Saudi Arabia if they will be barring overseas pilgrims for hajj or not.
Only those who have recovered from COVID-19 or have been vaccinated will be able to do hajj. Because hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligatory duty for every healthy Muslim who can afford it and without a vaccine, it could restrict the pilgrimage to Makkah for residents of the kingdom and Saudi nationals.
According to the official data, 2.5 million pilgrims used to visit Madina and Makkah for hajj which lasted a week and lesser, year-round umrah pilgrimage. Both of the events altogether in the kingdom earned around 12 billion dollars Per year.
In the year 2020, the kingdom was hoping to increase the number of umrah pilgrims to 15 million and the number of hajj pilgrims to 5 million. And till 2030, it planned to multiply the number of umrah to 30 million. By 2030, from the hajj, it has aimed to raise 50 billion riyals which are 13 billion dollars of revenues.
Earlier plans have been suspended by authorities to host pilgrims from overseas as stated by the sources. Only domestic pilgrims will be allowed who had been recovered or vaccinated From the coronavirus six months before the pilgrimage.
One of the sources stated that there will be restrictions on the age of participants as well.
Firstly, from abroad some amount of vaccinated pilgrims were allowed but the officials decided to reconsider due to the confusion of the efficacy of vaccines and the emergence of new variants As said by the second source.
There was no response by the government media office when requested for comment.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Google News, Facebook and Instagram.Support independent Islamic website.
Support our mission to spread Islamic knowledge. Your donation helps our volunteer writers and infrastructure. Contribute now.
