The government of Saudi Arabia has announced its resolve to make Covid-19 inoculation cumpulsory by announcing that all intending pilgrims will have to be vaccinated or forget about performing the holy pilgrimage.
The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Saudi had in 2020 canceled this sacred journey due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government however allowed a handful of pilgrims to perform the Hajj.
For this Hajj season, rules and guidelines had been set which include, “No vaccine, no Hajj,” as Saudi Arabia government has decided to make it mandatory for Hajj pilgrims to take anti-coronavirus vaccine.
According to statement by Saudi health ministry officials, taking COVID-19 vaccine has been made compulsory for those arriving in the country to perform the Hajj this year. People who don’t comply to the rule will not be allowed to perform Hajj.
Saudi newspaper Okaz reported, “The Covid-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Hajj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come).”
The decision is believed to be taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective.
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