Saudi Arabia this 12 months will enable 1 million members to undertake the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that is likely one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
However the kingdom says solely pilgrims youthful than 65 years previous and who “have obtained the primary COVID-19 vaccinations authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Well being” will likely be allowed to undertake the multi-day go to to Mecca, the place the religion’s holiest mosques are situated.
That age restriction has drawn pushback from hundreds of Twitter customers, who say they or their kinfolk are over 65.
Twitter person Tahir Khan, who describes himself as a “treasurer by occupation, MBA by qualification,” implored the Saudi ministry to rethink the limitation.
The return of abroad guests to Mecca was “Nice information for all aspirant pilgrims,” he wrote.
“Nevertheless it has additionally damaged hearts & hopes of hundreds of thousands who’ll be disqualified as a result of 65yr age restriction. Both they or their Dad and mom are aged 65 or extra,” he added, requesting authorities “contemplate removing of this restriction.”
The hajj, which implies pilgrimage in Arabic, is required as soon as in a lifetime for Muslims who can afford the journey and are bodily capable of make the journey. It happens throughout the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar often known as Dhul-Hijjah. It begins this 12 months on July 7 and ends July 12.
Final 12 months, the dominion restricted hajj pilgrims to 60,000 home residents, a fraction of the two.3 million who visited in a median 12 months this century.
For the primary time in three years, totally vaccinated pilgrims beneath the age of 65 will likely be permitted, the state Ministry of Hajj and Umrah mentioned in an April 9 information launch posted to Twitter.
The company oversees the annual hajj in addition to the separate umrah pilgrimages to Mecca that may be undertaken at any time of the 12 months.
The Saudi ministry mentioned retaining pilgrims protected and safe is “of supreme significance … whereas making certain that the utmost variety of Muslims worldwide can carry out Hajj and go to the Prophet’s Mosque in a protected and non secular environment.”
Saudi officers mentioned pilgrims from outdoors the nation should “submit a unfavorable Covid-19 PCR take a look at end result from a take a look at carried out inside 72 hours” of departing for Mecca. Pilgrims should additionally “comply with well being directions and adjust to all precautionary measures” whereas endeavor rituals related to the hajj.
