• Convoys of Muslim pilgrims travel from all over the world to Makkah to undertake Hajj.
    Convoys of Muslim pilgrims travel from all over the world to Makkah to undertake Hajj.
  • Pilgrims drive cars alongside others riding camels toward Makkah during Hajj.
    Pilgrims drive cars alongside others riding camels toward Makkah during Hajj.
  • Jamarat - the stoning of the devil - sees pilgrims cast stones at three pillars in Mina, just outside Makkah, as part of Hajj.
    Jamarat - the stoning of the devil - sees pilgrims cast stones at three pillars in Mina, just outside Makkah, as part of Hajj.
  • On the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah - the last month of the Islamic calendar - the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah is covered by a cloth called the Kiswa.
    On the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah - the last month of the Islamic calendar - the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah is covered by a cloth called the Kiswa.
  • The Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in March 1933. According to Muslim tradition, pilgrims who can gain access to the Kaaba's black stone stop to kiss it while performing Hajj.
    The Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in March 1933. According to Muslim tradition, pilgrims who can gain access to the Kaaba's black stone stop to kiss it while performing Hajj.
  • Hajj pilgrims gather in Makkah in November 1948.
    Hajj pilgrims gather in Makkah in November 1948.
  • Crowds of pilgrims near Makkah prepare for Hajj in November 1948.
    Crowds of pilgrims near Makkah prepare for Hajj in November 1948.
  • Tents provide shelter to Hajj pilgrims near Makkah in 1948.
    Tents provide shelter to Hajj pilgrims near Makkah in 1948.
  • Pilgrims gather around the Grand Mosque in Makkah in November 1948.
    Pilgrims gather around the Grand Mosque in Makkah in November 1948.
  • Worshippers reach the Kaaba during Hajj in 1953.
    Worshippers reach the Kaaba during Hajj in 1953.
  • Hajj pilgrim Fouad Al Darkzli in Arafat.
    Hajj pilgrim Fouad Al Darkzli in Arafat.
  • The Kaaba is surrounded by pilgrims in March 1967, with the entrance to the Zamzam Well on the left.
    The Kaaba is surrounded by pilgrims in March 1967, with the entrance to the Zamzam Well on the left.
  • Pilgrims arrive at Makkah airport in August 1968.
    Pilgrims arrive at Makkah airport in August 1968.
  • Street traders sell drinks to Hajj pilgrims in Makkah in August 1968.
    Street traders sell drinks to Hajj pilgrims in Makkah in August 1968.
  • Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia by ship in August 1968.
    Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia by ship in August 1968.
  • Muslims arrive at Makkah airport for Hajj in August 1968.
    Muslims arrive at Makkah airport for Hajj in August 1968.
  • Muslims arrive at Makkah airport to participate in the pilgrimage in August 1968.
    Muslims arrive at Makkah airport to participate in the pilgrimage in August 1968.
  • The scene inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Hajj in 1968.
    The scene inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Hajj in 1968.
  • Muslims gather around the Kaaba as they participate in the Hajj pilgrimage in 1979.
    Muslims gather around the Kaaba as they participate in the Hajj pilgrimage in 1979.
  • Pilgrims perform the Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, during Hajj.
    Pilgrims perform the Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, during Hajj.
  • The Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage in 1979.
    The Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage in 1979.
  • Thousands of pilgrims cross the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border near Arar in March 1999 after Riyadh said it would issue them visas to participate in Hajj.
    Thousands of pilgrims cross the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border near Arar in March 1999 after Riyadh said it would issue them visas to participate in Hajj.
  • Pilgrims arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in March 2000, when more than one million Muslims travelled to the city.
    Pilgrims arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in March 2000, when more than one million Muslims travelled to the city.
  • About 1.3 million people participated in the Hajj pilgrimage in February 2001.
    About 1.3 million people participated in the Hajj pilgrimage in February 2001.
  • Iraqis travel to Makkah by bus in 2004, after the ousting of Saddam Hussein led to the removal of restrictions on who could make the pilgrimage.
    Iraqis travel to Makkah by bus in 2004, after the ousting of Saddam Hussein led to the removal of restrictions on who could make the pilgrimage.
  • Millions of pilgrims participating in Hajj in 2004 arrive in Mina to camp in what was called the largest tent city in the world.
    Millions of pilgrims participating in Hajj in 2004 arrive in Mina to camp in what was called the largest tent city in the world.
  • Pilgrims participating in Hajj in 2004 perform the Jamarat ritual, when Muslims must throw 21 stones at three pillars in Mina.
    Pilgrims participating in Hajj in 2004 perform the Jamarat ritual, when Muslims must throw 21 stones at three pillars in Mina.
  • Muslims performing Hajj in 2004 make their way to the summit of Jabal Al Nour near Makkah.
    Muslims performing Hajj in 2004 make their way to the summit of Jabal Al Nour near Makkah.
  • A pilgrim stands on a bridge overlooking Mina, where about two million Muslims camped during Hajj in January 2004.
    A pilgrim stands on a bridge overlooking Mina, where about two million Muslims camped during Hajj in January 2004.
  • Pilgrims performing Hajj in January 2004 touch the monument at the summit of Jabal Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon.
    Pilgrims performing Hajj in January 2004 touch the monument at the summit of Jabal Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon.
  • Two Saudi boys sit at the summit of Jabal Al Nour in 2004.
    Two Saudi boys sit at the summit of Jabal Al Nour in 2004.
  • Pilgrims pray at the top of Jabal Al Nour in January 2004. Although climbing the mountain is not part of the pilgrimage, many Muslims make their way to the summit each year.
    Pilgrims pray at the top of Jabal Al Nour in January 2004. Although climbing the mountain is not part of the pilgrimage, many Muslims make their way to the summit each year.
  • A Hajj pilgrim prays on Jabal Arafat in 2004.
    A Hajj pilgrim prays on Jabal Arafat in 2004.
  • Pilgrims from Jordan are flown to Makkah from Amman in 2005.
    Pilgrims from Jordan are flown to Makkah from Amman in 2005.
  • Pilgrims gather at the Kabba to pray in 2005.
    Pilgrims gather at the Kabba to pray in 2005.
  • About two million pilgrims from around the world attend the Friday prayer at the Grand Mosque during Hajj in 2005.
    About two million pilgrims from around the world attend the Friday prayer at the Grand Mosque during Hajj in 2005.
  • Pilgrims gather at Jabal Arafat, south-east of Makkah, in January 2006.
    Pilgrims gather at Jabal Arafat, south-east of Makkah, in January 2006.
  • A Saudi man at the Kiswa factory in Makkah creates a drape bearing Islamic calligraphy to cover the Kaaba in 2008. The Kiswa is changed every year.
    A Saudi man at the Kiswa factory in Makkah creates a drape bearing Islamic calligraphy to cover the Kaaba in 2008. The Kiswa is changed every year.
  • Hajj pilgrims seek shelter during heavy rain in Makkah in 2009.
    Hajj pilgrims seek shelter during heavy rain in Makkah in 2009.
  • A pilgrim prays on top of Jabal Al Noor in Makkah in November 2010. Reuters
    A pilgrim prays on top of Jabal Al Noor in Makkah in November 2010. Reuters
  • Pilgrims gather at the base of Mount Mercy, on the plains of Arafat, in October 2013. Reuters
    Pilgrims gather at the base of Mount Mercy, on the plains of Arafat, in October 2013. Reuters
  • A Muslim girl touches the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in September 2015. Reuters
    A Muslim girl touches the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in September 2015. Reuters
  • Hajj pilgrims circle the Kaaba in August 2017. AFP
    Hajj pilgrims circle the Kaaba in August 2017. AFP
  • Pilgrims hold coloured umbrellas along matching coloured rings separating them, part of a Covid-19 safety measure, as they circle the Kaaba in July 2020. AFP
    Pilgrims hold coloured umbrellas along matching coloured rings separating them, part of a Covid-19 safety measure, as they circle the Kaaba in July 2020. AFP
  • A pilgrim looks over Makkah from on top Jabal Al Noor in July 2022. AFP
    A pilgrim looks over Makkah from on top Jabal Al Noor in July 2022. AFP

Gulf

Saudi Arabia

Hajj 2022 attendance to comprise 85% international pilgrims

Saudi Arabia expects international worshippers to make up majority of visitors after Covid hiatus

Mariam Nihal

April 12, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Foreign worshippers will make up the bulk of the one million pilgrims allowed to perform Hajj this year, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Tuesday.

Pilgrims travelling from overseas are expected to constitute 85 per cent of the total number attending. International pilgrims were barred from attending over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is of supreme importance to the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to preserve the safety and security of Hajj pilgrims, as well as visitors to the Prophet's Mosque," the ministry said.

The country wants to give the "maximum" number of pilgrims the chance to perform Hajj from around the world, it said.

Hajj applications will be open to under-65s who have received Covid-19 vaccinations from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health. Pilgrims coming from outside the kingdom are required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the time of departure to the kingdom.

The ministry said all pilgrims must follow the health protocols and comply with the necessary precautionary measures to preserve their health and safety while performing Hajj.

In 2020, the kingdom closed its borders to contain the spread of Covid-19 and Hajj was restricted to 1,000 domestic pilgrims.

Last year, the Ministry of Hajj announced only residents and citizens would be permitted to perform Hajj. Numbers then were limited to 60,000 because of the health threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Hajj pilgrimage ordinarily attracts about two million Muslims and generates $12 billion for Saudi Arabia every year. This year's Hajj is set to begin on July 7.

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