Saudi Arabia launches operational plan for Hajj 2021

JEDDAH (SPA) — Acting Minister of Media Dr Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi and the President for the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Dr Abdurrahman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, launched, via video conference, on Wednesday the operational plan for Hajj season 1442 H (2021).

Dr Al-Qasabi, in his speech on the occasion, expressed happiness to participate in the launch of the media plan for the Presidency for this year's Hajj season, while stressing that it is the Kingdom, leadership and the people’s privilege and honor to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims — both for Hajj and Umrah — and visitors.

He reiterated that for the second year in a row the organization of the Hajj season is taking place amid exceptional circumstances in light of what the whole world is witnessing with ongoing developments of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new mutations of the virus.

For his part, President Sheikh Al-Sudais extended his thanks to the wise leadership for the generous and great care it accords to the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims, Umrah pilgrims and visitors, stressing that the state’s care has manifested in the wise and successful decisions and precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom in the Two Holy Mosques since the outbreak of the pandemic.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the world, the Kingdom decided to limit this year’s Hajj season to 60,000 pilgrims. The pilgrims, both citizens and residents, have been selected from within the Kingdom. This move was taken in order to preserve the health and safety of pilgrims, and ensure that the Hajj rituals are held in a safe and healthy environment with the application of precautionary measures.