Cairo: Saudi Arabia is due today to launch an electronic portal to allow registration for the Haj that authorities said only 60,000 vaccinated pilgrims residing in the kingdom will attend this year due to COVID-19.
The Ministry of the Haj and Umrah said that Saudi citizens and foreigners residing in Saudi Arabia can register in the first phase that starts on Sunday from 1pm for 10 days until 10pm on Wednesday, 13th of Dhul Qada.No priority will be given for early registration, according to the ministry.
The electronic registration for the Haj will be allowed in two phases to avoid pressure on the registration process, said Saudi Deputy Minister of the Haj Abdul Fattah Mashat.
“The Islamic countries have shown understanding the announced Haj regula-tions,” he added.
On Saturday, the kingdom said the continuation of COVID-19 and its variants prompt confining performing the Haj rituals to 60,000 pilgrims from Saudis and foreign residents in the kingdom. Eligible pilgrims must be vaccinated with at least one dose against COVID-19, free of chronic diseases and aged between 18 to 65 years.
The Haj Ministry said that downsizing the number of pilgrims for this year aims to ensure their health and safety during the rituals.
