Saudi Arabia has made it possible for women to register for the annual Hajj trip in 2021 without the need for a male companion.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom, women who sign up for Hajj can participate in the pilgrimage with other women.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Kingdom has limited this year’s pilgrimage to its own citizens and residents.
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In view of the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia stated it would restrict registration for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to citizens and residents of the kingdom, according to the Saudi Gazette.
The Ministries of Health and Hajj have declared that 60,000 pilgrims would be permitted to participate in the pilgrimage this year, which will commence in mid-July.
Pilgrims performing the Hajj in 2021 should be completely vaccinated, or have had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior, or be immunized after recovering from coronavirus infection.
The decision was made “in light of the Kingdom’s ongoing desire to enable guests and visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to undertake the Hajj and Umrah rituals,” according to the ministry.
In 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had granted permission to women to travel abroad without approval from a male guardian.
Last week, Saudi Arabia had announced that it would allow 60,000 residents, vaccinated against Covid-19, to perform Hajj this year, as the kingdom bars Muslims from abroad from entering the country for the annual ritual for a second straight year.
