Saudi Arabia is preparing to welcome over 2 million Muslim pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. The country’s authorities have promised an exceptional, distinguished and safe pilgrimage season, despite the pandemic still impacting global travel. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, told the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television channel that all preparations for the event bode well and that expectations were high.
Saudi Arabia has held downsized versions of the Hajj in recent years due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2020, just 10,000 people were able to perform the pilgrimage, with 60,000 pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia itself attending in 2021. In 2022, however, officials hope that more than two million Muslims from around the world will visit the country to perform the religious rite.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, with Muslims required to perform the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. It involves visiting the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site in the city of Mecca. Given its importance, the Hajj is typically a major gathering of worshippers and an economic boon for Saudi Arabia.
The country has invested heavily in preparations for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. It has increased the capacity of its transport system, improved accommodation and facilities, and introduced strict safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In a bid to prevent large crowds forming, authorities have also introduced a booking system for the event.
Despite these measures, some Muslim clerics have expressed concerns about the risks of large gatherings during the ongoing pandemic. Saudi Arabia has attempted to assuage these concerns by stressing that it has taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
As the Hajj pilgrimage approaches, Saudi Arabia and the world’s Muslim population are hoping for a successful and safe event. The Kingdom remains optimistic about the pilgrimage season and looks forward to hosting Muslims from all over the world for this year’s Hajj.
