ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said on Saturday that it is preparing Pakistanis for this year’s Hajj, as Saudi Arabia will again welcome international pilgrims after two years of tight COVID restrictions.
Saudi Arabia suspended foreign arrivals with the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, only allowing foreigners already residing in the kingdom to perform the pilgrimage.
This year, as it has already lifted most of its COVID curbs, the Kingdom will welcome 1 million pilgrims from abroad. Pakistan’s 2022 quota is 81,132 and the maximum age limit of travelers is 65. They will start arriving to the Kingdom next week.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said in a Twitter post its courses for pilgrims were underway at 10 training camps.
“Hajj pilgrims must attend these training sessions,” the ministry said. “Get acquainted with present-day rituals of Hajj.”
Saudi authorities announced last month that pilgrims to Makkah this year must be under age 65 and fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. They will be required to submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before their time of departure.
Last year, the Kingdom limited the annual Hajj, one of Islam's five main pillars, to 60,000 domestic participants, compared to the pre-pandemic 2.5 million.
