Hajj 2023: Saudi Arabia to allow pre-pandemic numbers this year, no age limit
In good news for Hajj pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has this year lifted restrictions that it had imposed in wake of the coronavirus pandemic two years back in 2020. This means that the upcoming season will be similar to the pre-pandemic levels.
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made the announcement on Twitter on January 9, saying, “Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions.”
Tawfiq al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah, announced the updatee during the opening of Hajj Expo 2023. Hajj season is expected to begin on June 26 in 2023.
As per the local media, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had earlier said that priority for registration this year will be given to those who have not made the pilgrimage before.
In 2019, before the pandemic prompted restrictions across the world, some 2.6 million people performed the Hajj. After Covid, the Saudi kingdom allowed only limited numbers from its residents before welcoming back one million foreign pilgrims in 2022.
However, only people aged 18 to 65 who were fully vaccinated or immunised against Covid and did not suffer from chronic illness were allowed to perform Hajj last year.
The pilgrimage is one of five pillars of Islam, which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once.
