*As Saudi Arabian Government Limits Pilgrims to 60,000 population
The Saudi Arabian kingdom has announced that Hajj 2021 (1442) will not be open to Nigerians, non-residents and non-citizens of Saudi Arabia Kingdom.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Minister of State, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, confirmed this in a statement made public today.
The obligatory Muslim pilgrim for the 1442/2021 was limited to 60,000 pilgrims in observance to the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, after the compulsory fasting exercise (Sawm), which is obligatory to Muslims who have the financial means.
Muslims across the world visit the place birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Mecca, Medina and some other historic and sacred places in Saudi Arabia.
The holy pilgrim is performed on the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah. The pilgrim rites take as long as 6 – 13 days.
COVID-19 has continued to hinder the practice of this herculean duty. Last year, the pilgrim was limited only to 1000 residents due to the pandemic.
