Hajj 2024: Saudi Arabia said that Hajj will begin on June 14. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has said that the Supreme Court has determined that Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, will begin on Friday. Hajj is one of the five foundations of Islam. Hajj is mandatory for Muslims at least once. At a press conference on Thursday, Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said that “about 1.2 million pilgrims from different countries of the world for this year’s Hajj” have already arrived in Saudi Arabia.
Breaking the rules will be costly
Saudi Arabia has issued new guidelines for Hajjis this year. The Saudi Arabian Home Ministry has said that those who break the rules during Hajj will be severely punished. The ministry has said that if Saudi citizens, residents and people who have gone for Hajj are caught violating the rules and guidelines of Hajj in Mecca, then they will be fined $2,666 (Rs 2 lakh 22 thousand 651). Saudi Press Agency, the official news agency of Saudi Arabia, has informed that foreigners living in Saudi and violating the Hajj rules in Mecca will be sent back from Saudi.
These are the guidelines for Hajj
This year Hajj is being performed between 14-19 June. Saudi Arabia had issued guidelines regarding Hajj only last month. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had said that all pilgrims must have a Hajj permit obtained from the Nusuk Hajj platform. Performing Hajj without a permit will be considered illegal.
Other conditions of Hajj
Registration on Sehaty app so that it can be known whether you have all the vaccinations or not.
People living inside Saudi Arabia must have received the COVID-19 vaccine, influenza vaccine, and meningitis vaccine within the last five years.
Foreigners coming for Hajj must have received the Neisseria meningitidis vaccine at least 10 days before their arrival or within the last five years. They also need to have a polio vaccination.
General conditions for Hajj pilgrims
Valid passport.
Minimum age of 12 years.
COVID-19, seasonal flu, and meningitis vaccine.
A health certificate stating that the Hajj pilgrim is free from all types of infectious diseases.