The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has limited registration for this year's Hajj pilgrimage to its citizens and residents for the second time in a row amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday conveyed the decision.
The annual pilgrimage, scheduled to be held at the end of July, will be limited to 60,000 vaccinated residents of the kingdom, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced in a statement Saturday.
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"In light of what the whole world is witnessing from the continuing developments of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new mutations, Hajj registration will be limited to residents and citizens from inside the Kingdom only," the Saudi ministry said.
Those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of chronic diseases and only vaccinated people – aged between 18 and 65 – will be able to take part, the ministry added.
Last year, only 1,000 people residing in the kingdom were selected to perform Hajj after meeting certain criteria.
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