More than 450,000 people in Saudi Arabia apply to perform Hajj

More than 450,000 people have registered for the upcoming Hajj, according to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah. Around 60 per cent of applicants are males and the rest females.

For the first time ever, Saudi Arabia has allowed women to register for the annual pilgrimage without a male guardian.

“Those wishing to perform Hajj will have to register individually. Women can register without a mahram (male guardian) along with other women,” the ministry explained in an infograph on Sunday.

The Kingdom has limited this year’s Haj to its citizens and residents only due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has set a maximum limit of 60,000 participants this year.

Those who are between the ages of 18-65 and are fully vaccinated, have received their first dose at least 14 days prior, or those who are vaccinated and have recovered from a COVID-19 infection are allowed to register.

Three Haj packages have been announced by the ministry. The first category costs 12,113 riyals; the second is priced at 14,381 riyals and the third — and most expensive — costs 16,560 riyals before taxes.

The registration portal was launched on June 13 at 1 p.m. while there was no priority for early registration.

The Hajj pilgrimage this year is expected to begin mid-July. The link to register can be accessed here: localhaj.haj.gov.sa