COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for Hajj 2021: Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for people intending to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage this year.“The Covid-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to attend Hajj and will be one of the main conditions,” reports said, quoting the Kingdom’s health ministry as saying. Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said, “compulsory vaccination” would be required for all the pilgrims. He didn’t confirm whether pilgrims from outside the Kingdom would be permitted to undertake Hajj, but said a vaccine would be the “main condition” for participation. Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, draws millions of pilgrims from around the world. Last year, pilgrims from outside the Kingdom were excluded from performing Hajj due to the coronavirus pandemic