Saudi Arabia bars South Africans from attending 2021 Hajj pilgrimage

A picture taken on July 29, 2020 shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. – Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims began the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. (Photo by STR / AFP)

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 17:10:05 WAT

South African Muslims will be barred from attending Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year.

For the second consecutive year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued limitations on attendees to the annual pilgrimage.

The Saudi government said this year’s prayers would be limited to residents and citizens from within its borders.

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About 5,000 South Africans usually attend the Hajj each year.

“The total number of pilgrims this year is limited to only 60,000 people.

“This includes all nationalities and citizens inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it said.

It added that anyone planning to register for the prayers must be vaccinated.

Hajj is held in Mecca in the last month of the Islamic calendar. (PANA/NAN)

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