Saudi Arabia’s Minister announced on Tuesday, June 23, that approximately 1,000 pilgrims will be permitted to perform Hajj this year.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Hajj will have limited participation. Only a thousand pilgrims living in the kingdom will be able to take part in the ceremony this year.
“The number of pilgrims will be around 1,000, maybe less, maybe a little more,” shared Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten with reporters, indicating a significant reduction from previous years.
Benten did not specify how the pilgrims will be selected for this limited opportunity.
The pilgrimage, scheduled for the end of July, will be restricted to individuals below 65 years of age and without chronic illnesses, as announced by Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah.
According to al-Rabiah, the pilgrims will undergo coronavirus testing before arriving in Mecca and will need to quarantine at home following the ritual.
Saudi Arabia stated on Monday that this year’s hajj will be “very limited” and open to people of various nationalities already present in the kingdom.
This is the first time in Saudi Arabia’s modern history that Muslims outside the kingdom are not allowed to perform the hajj.