The government of Saudi Arabia this week announced the resumption of the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1443 (2022).
The announcement follows a two-year hiatus brought on by the coronavirus pandemic that saw the kingdom restrict entry for Hajj pilgrims. Changes have been made this year, however, that will allow the pilgrimage to go forth for Muslims all over the world.
Pilgrims will need to follow a basic requirement to have their Hajj visas accepted, which is to be fully vaccinated against the virus.
“The annual Hajj for this year 1443/ 2022 will take place with pilgrims from around the world and from within the Kingdom,” [1] read a statement from an official news handle reporting on news from the Two Holy Mosques.
“Pilgrims from around the world will participate in this year’s Hajj after a period of 2 years. The basic Requirement for pilgrims would be to be ‘Immune’ (Vaccinated against COVID-19),” [1] the statement added.
The announcement, made on March 6, followed a similar statement by the government a day earlier which announced a lifting of all precautionary Covid-19 measures that restricted the Hajj as well as those seeking to perform Umrah (the lesser Hajj).
“The Ministry of Interior has lifted most Precautionary Measures against spread of COVID-19 ahead of Ramadan 2022.” [2]
The lifting of precautionary measures includes the abolishment of social and physical distancing in all Masajid across the kingdom, the abolishment of mandatory quarantine and PCR tests, and the removal of the 10-day waiting period between Umrah visa permits.
The government has also lifted flight suspensions from 17 countries that include Afghanistan, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana , Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Comoros, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Nonetheless the government has retained some mandatory requirements to ensure the prevention of deadly variants such as the delta and omicron mutations. Pilgrims must acquire an ‘immune’ permit before entering the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
Source: Islam21c
Notes:
[1] https://twitter.com/hsharifain/status/1500454006577057799
[2] https://www.haramainsharifain.com/after-2-years-lifting-of-all-precautionary-measures/