Sri Lanka will send only 960 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage despite the quota allocated for Sri Lanka by the Saudi government being 1,585 devotees.
Speaking to the Daily News, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs said: “Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka was kind enough to send the full quota of Hajj pilgrims allocated this year, but the response from the people was low.”
Ansar said the pilgrims will be sent through a network of 73 Hajj and travel operators selected by his department.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has announced that this year’s Haj pilgrims would need full immunization with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.
The confirmation comes less than 24 hours after the Saudi authorities announced the lifting of various COVID-19 preventative measures, including the requirement to wear facemasks in closed places.
The Ministry reaffirmed that all those intending to perform Hajj this year must have completed their immunization programme with one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Public Health Authority. This vaccine requirement is listed on the electronic registration portal for this year’s Hajj, which will accommodate one million pilgrims.
Sri Lankan Consul General in Jeddah Falah Mowlana said that the vaccination is a must for all Sri Lankan pilgrims and they should bring the proper document to prove that they have taken all three doses of the COVID vaccines.
Mowlana also said that those who are above 65 are also prohibited from this year’s Hajj and it is preferred that pilgrims do not bring children under five years of age.
The Consul General said that he and the Riyadh-based Sri Lankan ambassador Packeer Amsa met the concerned organizers of the Hajj in Makkah and Arafat to finalize their accommodation during their pilgrimage.
Upon opening registration for this year’s Hajj, Mowlana said the Ministry of Hajj stressed that priority would be given to those who have not previously performed the rituals.
The Ministry added that those who are not fully immunized as per their status on the Tawakkalna application, would be denied a Hajj permit.
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