Saudi Arabia Sets Age Limit of 65 For Hajj Pilgrims

New Delhi: Giving green signal to Hajj 2022 with conditions, the Saudi Arab government has banned Hajj pilgrims, who are above 65 years of age.

''This year's Hajj is open to those who are under 65 years old and have received the main COVID-19 vaccinations approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health,'' an official statement from Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.

The Haj Committee of India has issued a circular after the Saudi Arabian government issued a new guideline for Hajj. According to this, only applicants who have completed the age of 65 years by 20 April 2022 will be able to go on Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the new guideline, the applicant will be able to go on Hajj pilgrimage only if the RTPCR report of COVID is negative. This report will be valid only 72 hours before departure. It is also necessary to get both the doses of the vaccine.

Following COVID-19, the Saudi government had banned Hajj for two years. In these two years, only the local people of Saudi Arabia were able to participate in the Hajj. Although the Hajj Committee had taken applications in 2020 and 2021, the Saudi government did not allow the Hajj pilgrimage. However, this time the Saudi government has given permission for Haj pilgrimage by imposing some conditions.

Reportedly, this time 92,381 applications have been made from across the country for Hajj Yatra 2022. There was no age restriction during the filling of the application, but the applications of those above 65 years of age will be rejected now.

In view of the low number of Hajj applications, applicants have been given one more chance in the new guideline. Those who wish to visit Hajj can now apply online on the website of Hajj Committee till 22nd April.

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