COVID vaccination mandatory for those scheduled to perform Haj this year: J&K Haj Committee

SRINAGAR: In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities yesterday said that the decision about the number of pilgrims to be allowed to perform Haj pilgrimage this year was expected within a week amid reports about the cap on the number of Haj pilgrims by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Officer of J&K Haj Committee, said that no decision has been taken as of now about the number of pilgrims to be allowed to go in for Haj this year and no one will be allowed to proceed for Haj pilgrimage without COVID-19 vaccination.

Around 8,000 pilgrims have registered themselves for this year’s Haj pilgrimage across the UT and the State Haj Committee has made vaccination mandatory for all those scheduled to perform Haj given the COVID-19 situation.

Notably, Saudi Arabia has decided to cap the number of pilgrims this year due to the pandemic situation and anyone below 20 years of age and above 60 years won’t be allowed to perform Haj this year. (AIR)