How many hajis

Earlier this year, it suspended the Umrah -- a smaller version of the Hajj that can take place at any time of the year -- over fears it could spread the pandemic.

The Hajj is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. It occurs two months and 10 days after Ramadan ends, during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. The height of Hajj corresponds with the major Islamic holy day Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son on Divine orders. A picture taken on July 29, shows a pilgrim receiving water at the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca.

The pilgrimage, conducted over five days, includes numerous detailed rituals including wearing a special garment that symbolizes human equality and unity before God, a circular, counter-clockwise procession around the Kaaba, and the symbolic stoning of evil. Another pilgrim, Moroccan-French year-old Sarah Lagdaa, says that "everything happened so fast in the process of applying, getting selected and then going through the medical tests and getting ready.

We haven't seen each other since December Haj Repeater will have to submit a Declaration in the prescribed format attached to the Guidelines. However in case Saudi authorities do not allow Repeater in case of those travelling as Mehram of lady pilgrims First timer the same will be applicable in accordance with the Saudi Guidelines. The group of such ladies should remain four 4 at all stages of Haj journey. These restrictions will also apply for concealing the fact of having performed Haj earlier as well as for Pilgrims intending to perform Hajj-e-Badal.

NRIs in view of the prevailing conditions and mandatory restrictions, as of now. All employees working directly or indirectly during the Hajj this year must be inoculated. Foreign pilgrims will have to quarantine for three days on arrival. Authorities have specified procedures that must be followed at entry points within and before entering the country.

These include verification of all health documents, including vaccination certificates, and visual screening procedures. Pilgrims will be divided into groups for transport to holy sites. All places of accommodation have Covid health protocols in place to ensure social distancing and prevent overcrowding in rooms. Catering companies must ensure food is provided to pilgrims in their rooms, to prevent people gathering for meals.

Buffets will not be permitted in restaurants or hotels. When the pilgrims travel to Arafat, bags will be sterilised and designated pathways laid out from train stations to help them navigate the holy sites safely.

Pilgrims will be assigned specific seats, with an empty one in between to ensure social distancing protocols are followed. Pilgrims will be restricted to their accommodation in Arafat and Muzdalifah, meaning they cannot go to see friends or relatives staying in other hotels or compounds. Saudi health authorities said they will continue to assess and update the precautions as needed. The Ministry of Hajj has introduced smart technology to facilitate Hajj rituals.

These include a Hajj smart card system, which will enlist all the approved Hajj pilgrims and link them to services and amenities, including access to camps, transport, hotels, cashless payment terminals and ATMs, and identify crowded spots at the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah. The Hajj smart card is encrypted with a QR code that enables pilgrims to download the app on their smartphones. The card uses near-field communication technology, which makes it readable by kiosks to identify crowded spots throughout the holy sites and help guide lost pilgrims.

The ministry said that the local companies which are responsible for transporting pilgrims from outside Makkah, must register the pilgrims' details and record the amount collected from each, and send it to the Ministry no later than July The companies must ensure that all pilgrims are given their smart cards for entry to Makkah. The ministry shared a live location link, using Google Maps, on its official Twitter page, showing the locations of the camps in Arafat and Mina.

A guide to the importance, steps and dates ]. All you need to know about Hajj in Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim who can afford it. Mariam Nihal. Expand Autoplay. Image 1 of