The Haj Committee of India on Tuesday rejected all applications for this year’s Haj due to Saudi Arabia barring people from outside the country due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to allow citizens and residents inside the kingdom of Saudi Arabia only to attend Haj 1442 in limited numbers. International Haj has been cancelled. Hence it has been decided by the Haj Committee of India that all the applications for Haj-202l stands cancelled,” the circular said.
The Haj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia on June 12 said that it will only allow 60,000 fully vaccinated residents between the ages 18 and 65 to attend Haj 1442. It had also highlighted that the pilgrims should not suffer from any chronic disease. “In light of what the entire world is witnessing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants, the relevant authorities have continued to monitor the global health situation. Considering the large crowds that perform hajj, spending long periods of time in multiple and specific places requires the highest levels of health precautions,” Saudi Arabia health minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said while addressing a press conference in Riyadh on Saturday.
