The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia announced the age limit under 65 years for pilgrims who will perform Hajj this year 2022. Ministry will exclude Applicants who turn 65 years old before 30 April 22.
Restrictions on Hajj for those under 65 years of age will certainly have a wide impact. The decision will affect prospective pilgrims who are over 65 years of age. Also, it will also affect co-pilgrims who apply together with the elderly and women who apply for Hajj with their parents as their Mahram.
However, it is said that applicants who are affected by the age restriction but meet the requirements can re-apply online before April 22.
”This year’s Hajj is open to those who are under 65 years old and have received COVID-19 vaccinations approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health,” an official statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.
The pilgrims have to show a Covid-19 negative report upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. The test must have been taken at most 72 hours before the departure, said the ministry.
Saudi Arabia has announced to welcome 1 million pilgrims for Hajj this year, following ease in COVID restrictions.
The announcement, made by the Saudi Ministry for Hajj and Umrah, stated that the Kingdom would welcome 1 million people this year including domestic and foreign pilgrims for Hajj.
Women who applied with elderly male companions should reapply before April 22
Thousands of applicants for this year’s Hajj suffered a blow. Like in India when the Hajj Committee of India on Saturday issued a circular restricting the pilgrimage to those below 65 years of age.
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Many of the 90,000 applicants from India will lose their chance because of the restriction imposed by the Saudi.
Restricting the Hajj for those below 65 years of age will have a wider impact as a lot of women who applied with elderly people as their mahram.. Such women will have to make fresh applications with new mahrams below 65 years of age.
Young companions in Hajj 2022
Similarly, the young companions who were to accompany people above 70 years of age will also lose their opportunity. The Haj Committee circular said that the women and young companions who became ineligible because of the new restrictions should make fresh online applications before April 22.
COVID vaccination must
However, the Saudi government imposed fresh restrictions as part to prevent a fresh outbreak of COVID-19. This year’s pilgrims should be 65 or less and should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Covid’s impact on Hajj 2022
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. As a result, it is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings, constituting more than 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims from more than 180 countries.
However, with the outbreak of Covid in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency. Therefore, Saudi Arabia advised Muslims to postpone their pilgrimage until it mitigated the pandemic.
By 2022, many countries successfully managed Covid and restrictions are easing. Therefore, Saudi Arabia is ready to welcome around 1 million pilgrims for Hajj.
Separately, for Hajj 2021, Saudi Arabia permitted women to register for Hajj without a male guardian. Similarly, in March, Saudi Arabia also allowed women above 45 years to perform Umrah without a male guardian.
