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Saudi Arabia: First batch of international Hajj pilgrims since pandemic arrive in Medina
Solar, 06/05/2022 – 11:33
Saudi Arabia welcomed its first batch of international Hajj pilgrims for the reason that 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: “At this time we obtained the primary group of this 12 months’s pilgrims from Indonesia, and the flights will proceed from Malaysia and India.
“At this time we’re pleased to obtain the company of God from outdoors the dominion, after a two-year interruption because of the pandemic.”
Bijawi described the dominion as “totally 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 organize for Hajj subsequent month.
Because the pandemic started in 2020, Saudi authorities introduced they’d let just one,000 pilgrims take part.
In 2021, the quantity was elevated to 60,000 totally vaccinated Saudi residents and residents chosen by way of a lottery.
Hajj, one of many 5 pillars of Islam, is normally one of many world’s largest non secular 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.
It additionally a big income for the dominion, bringing in round $12bn yearly.
Deep disappointment
Barring abroad pilgrims as a Covid-19 precaution induced deep disappointment amongst Muslims worldwide.
Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia introduced in April that it could 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 might be restricted to vaccinated Muslims below the age of 65, the Hajj ministry stated.
These outdoors Saudi Arabia, who should apply for Hajj visas, are required to submit a adverse Covid-19 PCR consequence from a take a look at taken inside 72 hours of journey.
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