Saudi gov' t limits Hajj to 60,000 nationals, residents this year

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) JEDDAH, June 12 (KUNA) -- Islam's main Hajj pilgrimage will be only open to 60,000 vaccinated nationals and residents of Saudi Arabia this year due to fears of the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Saturday.The pilgrims should be healthy and not suffer from any chronic diseases, with their ages being from 18 to 65, the ministry added.The move was taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and in implementation of Islamic Sharia law, it said.In the past 10 years, Saudi Arabia has hosted more than 150 million pilgrims. (end) nsa.mah MENAFN12062021000071011013ID1102258327