São Paulo – The pilgrimage to Mecca, also known as Hajj, will be different again this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 60,000 pilgrims and only citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to perform Hajj. For the first time, Muslim women can perform the pilgrimage without the consent of a male guardian, Saudi newspaper Arab News reported. Last year, the pilgrimage was also restricted to Saudi citizens and residents, and only some 1,000 pilgrims participated. Pictured above, women perform the pilgrimage in 2020.
The ministries of Health and Hajj made the announcement on Saturday. Hajj this year will begin mid-July. Pilgrims should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of any chronic diseases. Pilgrims must be within the ages from 18 to 65 years. Registration is online and opened on Sunday and is available until June 23.
The decision on the amount of pilgrims and the requirements was taken to put health and safety first, the government said. An official added that Saudi Arabia found great understanding from Muslim countries over the decision to limit this year’s pilgrimage participants.
Hajj is a pillar of Islam. The pilgrimage to Mecca, a holy city of Islam, must be taken at least once in a lifetime by Muslims who are financially and physically able to do it. Brazilian Muslims used to participate before the pandemic.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
