All applications for Haj 2021 cancelled due to COVID

The Haj Committee of India on Tuesday dismissed all applications for this year’s pilgrimage because of Saudi Arabia’s ban on individuals from outside their nation, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to allow citizens and residents inside the kingdom of Saudi Arabia only to attend Haj 1442 in limited numbers. International Haj has been cancelled. Hence it has been decided by the Haj Committee of India that all the applications for Haj-202l stands cancelled,” the circular said. 

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Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Ministry said on June 12 that only 60,000 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 18 and 65 will be allowed to participate in Haj 1442. It further said that the pilgrims should not be afflicted with any chronic illness.

Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s health minister, stated at a news conference in Riyadh on Saturday, “In light of what the entire world is witnessing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants, the relevant authorities have continued to monitor the global health situation. Considering the large crowds that perform hajj, spending long periods of time in multiple and specific places requires the highest levels of health precautions,” as quoted by Hindustan Times.

To attend Haj, pilgrims must be vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca Plc., Moderna Inc., or Johnson & Johnson, according to the Saudi government.

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This is the second year in succession when Saudi Arabia has prohibited foreigners from attending Haj. It had only authorised 10,000 Muslims to join Haj in 2020, as opposed to the 2.5 million in 2019.