9 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq al Rabia, announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will not impose restrictions against pilgrims traveling to Mecca this year and that it will not limit the number of travelers in 2023, so participation will be similar. to pre-pandemic times.
In line with the health situation regarding the virus, Al Rabia has indicated that there will be no age restrictions for the pilgrimage, one of the most important moments in the religious life of Muslims, as reported by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Twitter, the major and minor pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia allowed one million Muslim residents and foreigners to travel to Mecca in 2022, which already implied a relaxation of the measures and an increase of 400,000 people compared to last year, although the figures are not comparable to those registered before the pandemic.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory for physically and financially capable Muslims to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. The rituals involved serve to cleanse the soul and demonstrate the equality and solidarity of all Muslims, in their submission to God.
