Saudi Arabia announces ban on foreign pilgrims

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed that Maldivians will not be able to perform their Islamic Hajj pilgrimages this year, following the ban on international visitors for Hajj 1441, by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ministry revealed this via an announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

Highlighting that it has been preparing for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage uninterruptedly, Islamic ministry noted that they had been making arrangements despite the current situation.

The middle-eastern country’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in a statement revealed that this decision is in accordance with what has been stressed by the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding the continued risks stemming from the global Covid-19 pandemic and the “lack of available vaccinations” and cure for those who have been infected globally.

Further, the decision also aims to preserve the security of global public health especially in light of the increase in the number of reported cases and comes in consideration of the risks posed by the disease and the virus spreading in crowded gatherings where it is difficult to maintain safe social distancing, reads the statement.

Enabling Muslim pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah rites safely and securely has been the top priority of the kingdom, which has been taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect pilgrims including the suspension of entry of pilgrims.

The pandemic has killed over 1,300 individuals in the middle-eastern nation and infected over 161,000. Over nine million people have been infected globally, with 474,731 deaths.

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister revealed that the pilgrimage will be limited for those who are “less than 65 years old” and “do not have chronic diseases”.

In February, the country temporarily halted traveler-entry from all countries for both tourism and Umrah pilgrimage purposes, over the mounting fear of the wide-spreading pandemic.

Hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every Muslim in good health and are able to afford it, must perform the pilgrimage at least once.