Only 60,000 pilgrims will perform 2021 hajj – Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced that only 60,000 pilgrims would be allowed to partake in the 2021 hajj exercise.

The Saudi Ministry of Health, in a statement, said the figure would include local and foreign pilgrims.

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There had been uncertainties about whether this year’s pilgrimage would hold after the Kingdom suspended the 2020 hajj due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It would be recalled that in the 2019 hajj exercise, the Kingdom hosted 2.5 million pilgrims, over 65, 000 of whom were from Nigeria.

The number of pilgrims was reduced this year in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols as Saudi Arabia.

According to the statement, “Only 60,000 Hujjaj will be scheduled to perform Hajj this year which includes local and foreign pilgrims.

“Those performing Hajj MUST be between the age of 18-60 years of age. Those performing Hajj MUST be in a good state of health.

“Those performing Hajj MUST not have been in hospital for any illness within the past 6 months prior to travelling for Hajj. (Proof Is Required).

“The pilgrims MUST have had both doses of the vaccine with a Vaccination card provided by the individual countries Health Organisation/Hospital/Ministry. (Proof Required).”

Accept outcome in good faith, NAHCON tells pilgrims

However, when contacted, the spokesperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, described the information from the Saudi Ministry of Health as inconclusive.

She said the finality of hajj guidelines would come from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah which would either endorse the released guidelines or issue the final position of the Kingdom contrary to what had been released by the Ministry of Health.

She, however, urged all hajj stakeholders and intending pilgrims to remain patient and accept in good faith, whatever decision the Kingdom would take on hajj.

She assured that NAHCON would keep working for the best bargains in the interest of all its stakeholders.

“Until the said Ministry of Hajj and Umrah releases the guidelines on its website and formally communicates to Nigeria, NAHCON humbly urges the public to consider the information being circulated as guidelines for 2021 hajj as inconclusive,” she said.