The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has announced that online Haj registration for the season will close as scheduled today, Wednesday, at 10pm (local time).
The registration of the first phase, which began on June 13, gave the opportunity for 60,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65 to perform the hajj, provided they have received the COVID-19 vaccine and are free of infectious diseases.
The ministry will start the selection process, and the names of the successful applicants will be announced this Friday, reported the local daily “Okaz” through its portal, today.
The Ministry’s special Haj portal reportedly received 450,000 applications within 24 hours of its launch.
The ministry was quoted as saying that despite the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Saudi government had made thorough preparations to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
This is the second time the Haj is to be performed during COVID-19 pandemic since the virus was first detected in late 2019.
On June 12, Saudi Arabia announced the number of Haj pilgrims this year is limited to 60,000 people comprising Saudi citizens and foreigners who reside in the country. – Bernama
Bernama
