During the Hajj season this year, approximately one million individuals have been admitted, including 850,000 foreigners. As Makkah got ready to welcome the largest Hajj trip since the Covid-19 pandemic, business owners have also prepared themselves to benefit from this year’s pilgrimage in full capacity.

Makkah’s business owners are content

In the holiest city in Islam, Abdullah Mekhlafi, a prayer mat seller, thanked God for the market’s return. He blamed the pandemic for business owners’ losses during the past two years. But things are different this year, maybe even better than before. Additionally, a lot of business owners claimed that their losses might be made up this year. Only about 2.5 million people made the entire yearly pilgrimage in 2019.

After the pandemic took over the next year, foreigners were prohibited from attending Hajj, and the total number of pilgrims was limited to 10,000 to prevent the Hajj from becoming a virus super-spreader on a global scale. In 2021, the number of fully immunized Saudi citizens and residents increased to 60,000.

Hajj 2022 regains its former glory

The Hajj, which costs at least $5,000 per person, and Umrah pilgrimages, which take place at different times in a year, are often a significant source of money for Saudi Arabia, notably its tourist industry. On a regular basis, they produce around $12 billion each year, keeping Makkah’s economy humming.

Recently, the city has seen a development boom that has brought new shopping malls, residential structures, and opulent lodgings to the area — some of which provide breathtaking views of the Holy Kaaba. However, throughout the pandemic, these projects struggled to find buyers, so their owners were encouraged by the sights in Makkah on days before the Hajj 2022 officially started.

White-robed devotees have been pouring into souvenir and barber shops in the two million-person city. A far cry from a year before, when the area seemed nearly desolate, the main shopping center next to the Grand Mosque, where many lodgings are located, was bustling with pilgrims once again.

Monumental occasions

The changes in Makkah reflect Saudi Arabia’s most recent financial successes. Due to a fall in global demand, the dominion saw a sharp drop in oil prices during the pandemic. This led to the implementation of austerity measures such as doubling the value-added tax and reductions in civil worker allowances. Things seem to have changed, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Early in May, Saudi Arabia said that its economy had grown at its fastest rate in ten years, with the first quarter’s growth over the same period in 2021 increasing by 9.6%.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s report released in April 2022, Saudi Arabia’s GDP will increase by 7.6% in 2022. As a key component of the Vision 2030 reform plan promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the largest oil exporter in the world, Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its banking system. The strategy includes a significant amount of tourism, making a successful hajj even more crucial. According to Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister, Saudi Arabia’s current goal is to treble its international travel this year as pandemic restrictions loosen.

Thirty million of the hundred million domestic and international tourists projected for 2030 are expected to travel mostly to Makkah and Madinah on spiritual pilgrimages, anticipating huge gains for business owners in Makkah.

Suggested Read: Hajj – The Primary Muslim Pilgrimage To Mecca: Rules, Rituals And More

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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia recently stated that the country is getting ready to welcome one million pilgrims for Hajj 2022, including 150,000 pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia. The ministry conducted a nine-day registration process for Muslims living in Saudi Arabia who wish to perform this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage. During these nine days, the ministry received over 390,000 requests from resident Muslims to perform Hajj in 2022. Commencing at the beginning of June, the registration process of Hajj 2022 for domestic pilgrims ended at midnight on Saturday, i.e., June 11, 2022.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the successful nominees for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage late on Sunday. The ministry made the selection of candidates through an electronic draw, with priority given to those who have been fully vaccinated and haven’t performed Hajj before. Once the registration was carried out via the Eatmarna app, the applicants were sorted, and an e-draw was conducted to choose the nominees who meet the Hajj conditions. The would-be pilgrims were informed of their selection via text messages and were given 48 hours to pay for their desired Hajj packages, after which Hajj permits were issued to them. There is no provision for the domestic pilgrims who have registered for this year’s Hajj to check the status of their application or e-draw status.

Hajj 2022 packages

For the Hajj season this year, the ministry has slashed prices for the three hospitality packages. Now, the ‘Al-Abraj’ package costs SR 13,943.75 per pilgrim, the ‘Undeveloped Tents’ package costs SR 9,098.80 per pilgrim, and the ‘Developed Tents’ package costs SR 11,970.35. These prices do not include value-added tax and air or land transportation from and to Makkah. Based on their package, domestic pilgrims will stay in Mina’s residential towers in sophisticated tents akin to hotel rooms or normal tents with full facilities.

Hajj 2022 eligibility

After restricting the holy annual pilgrimage to thousands of Muslims living both inside and outside the country for two consecutive years due to the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has finally relaxed the COVID-19 restrictions. According to the acting head of the Coordination Council for Domestic Pilgrims, Saed Al Juhani, the ministry will also reintroduce the open buffet service after a suspension of two years due to the pandemic-related restrictions. As per the conditions stipulated by the ministry, eligible pilgrims must be under 65 years of age, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and successfully able to provide a negative PCR test result.

Earlier, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that pilgrims from Australia, North America, and Europe could also register for Hajj 2022 electronically. Thousands of pilgrims belonging to these regions were able to successfully register for the pilgrimage by submitting the required information and documents, including COVID-19 vaccination certificates and passports. Those who registered were also entered into the e-lottery process for the respective packages. If successful, they should complete the online payment process, following which the requests are sent to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue visas in consultation with the information center.

The date for Hajj 2022 will most likely be during the first or second week of July. The final date will only be confirmed after the new moon of Dhul Hijjah is sighted. Accordingly, the Hajj flight schedule for local pilgrims will be announced in due course.

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Saudi Arabia has relaxed the indoor mask mandate, despite COVID-19 cases slowly rising beyond 1,000 new cases per day after hitting double-digit lows only two months earlier. The country made the decision as it prepared to welcome more than 800,000 foreign pilgrims for the Hajj 2022 pilgrimage.

Guidelines for Hajj 2022

The first group of foreign pilgrims arrived from Indonesia. It is the first batch of pilgrims since the pandemic hit the world in 2019 and limited the Hajj pilgrimage to only domestic pilgrims in 2020 and 2021. These pilgrims have arrived in Madinah and will be traveling to reach Makkah. The flights from India and Malaysia are also expected to come soon. The Hajj pilgrimage consists of several rites that are performed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Saudi Arabia takes absolute pride in being the custodian of the pilgrimage and welcoming the guests of the Almighty.

According to the new guidelines, masks will still be necessary for Islam’s most sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, where pilgrims assemble to pray and worship the Almighty. Events and festival organizers can mandate masks if they choose to. Apart from the requirement of negative PCR tests taken within 72 hours for visas, the pilgrims are required to have proof of vaccination on a mobile application. The vaccination certificate will be required for entry at different places, boarding transportation systems, and attending events. However, in recent times, the use of the mobile app to show vaccination certificates and wearing masks has become a scanty provision. In light of these changes, relaxing COVID-19 protocols for Hajj 2022 will make processes swift and smooth.

Impact of COVID-19 on Hajj

The COVID-19 outbreak affected Hajj and Umrah, which are generally the primary source of revenue for the country, bringing in over $12 billion annually. The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars, and all Muslims who have the financial means must do it at least once in their lifetimes. The last two years have been disappointing for foreign pilgrims. Saudi Arabia was one of the most proactive countries in the world in restricting its borders to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus for over two years.

As a result, only a thousand domestic pilgrims were allowed to perform Hajj in 2020, and over 60,000 domestic pilgrims in 2021. In 2019, previous to the pandemic, the figure for Hajj pilgrims was more than 2 million. The kingdom has decided to work on revamping the Hajj 2022 pilgrimage to its total capacity. It also decided to put a cap on the age of the pilgrims to 65 years. With its new guidelines, Saudi Arabia is all set to welcome around 800,000 foreign pilgrims for the first time since the pandemic.

In the past, Saudi nationals were barred from leaving the territory, and the country disallowed several nations from entering the kingdom. Evidence of vaccination was required to visit major public spaces, and the kingdom drastically reduced the capacity of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage. Since then, the country has relaxed its laws with the aim of attracting visitors under the new scheme of Vision 2030.

Suggested Read: Pillars Of Hajj And Umrah

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In a recent press meeting, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, highlighted that they have planned to expand the Hajj pilgrimage this year to accommodate over a million pilgrims as compared to a few thousand last year. The COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed, but caution against the virus is still a priority. That is why only vaccinated Muslims of a maximum of 65 years of age will be allowed to attend the pilgrimage. Additionally, these pilgrims will have to produce a negative COVID PCR test. All these decisions have been made keeping the COVID situation in mind.

In 2021, Hajj was only open to domestic pilgrims as international flights were restricted, and the threats of the pandemic were still looming large. Nevertheless, the country still managed to have over 60000 pilgrims last season while being a testimony to more than 2 million pilgrims in the pre-pandemic years.

Saudi Arabia is keen on conducting the Hajj and ensuring everything runs smoothly and easily. However, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and many people missed out on this golden opportunity last year due to the pandemic. The country is determined to alleviate its pilgrimage services so it can accommodate as many pilgrims in Hajj 2022 as possible without compromising their safety.

Hajj 2022 preparations

The country aims at expanding its pilgrimage capacity by making the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah more accessible and tourist-friendly. The country keeps all pilgrims’ safety and safe return on the list of high priorities. New Hajj technology will also be introduced this year to ease mobility from Makkah to Madinah and back to home destinations. Smart IDs will be given to pilgrims, which will allow them faster and easier access to transport around the two cities. Earlier private agencies helped in receiving and transporting foreign visitors to Makkah and Madinah. With the launch of the online Umrah Visa, those planning to perform Umrah can easily apply for their visas online and book accommodation, transport, and other services. The visas will be issued in less than 24 hours and will be valid for one to three months.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also added that a foreign visitor traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah would be permitted to move freely between different cities in the Kingdom without any restrictions. And that the Ministry will continue to give all that is required to enrich the experience of the pilgrimage and increase its capacity. The e-service to facilitate the Umrah Visa is extremely easy and simple, and the services of trustworthy agencies and companies are also available on the website. Now the Ministry is working on another platform called ‘Nusk’ to enhance the visitors’ digital experience. It is one of the forthcoming initiatives the country is working on to enrich the holy experience and increase the level of service.

While the country gears up to host the world’s biggest pilgrimage, foreign pilgrims are also ready to prepare for the new guidelines that are soon to be announced in detail.

Suggested Read: Hajj – The Primary Muslim Pilgrimage To Mecca: Rules, Rituals And More

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The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia’s holy city, Makkah. Muslims execute it on the 12th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar year, between the eighth and thirteenth days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. While conducting Hajj is difficult (both spiritually and physically), it is essential to plan ahead of time. More than a million pilgrims are expected to attend Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2022. Pilgrims should be aware that the Hajj Committee across the globe will provide Haj pilgrims with standardized luggage. Further, if pilgrims have any luggage-related questions, they can contact their Provincial Haj Committee offices.

Luggage guidelines for Hajj 2022

• The Haj Committee of different nations will provide standardized luggage to pilgrims and deliver such bags to the address listed on the cover head of the Haj online application.
• As a result, pilgrims are requested to verify their luggage delivery location via the Haj Portal by May 14th, 2022.
• The pilgrim can update their status by logging into the Haj Organization app or website.
• Pilgrims should call their local State Haj Committee headquarters if they have any questions. Pilgrims are asked to label their luggage with their cover number, identity, location, flight number, and embarking port.
• A total of 40 kilos (in two pieces) of checked luggage will be allowed per pilgrim.
• It would be easy if the smaller bag had wheels so pilgrims could use it as a cart on their pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah.

List of crucial items to have in baggage for Hajj 2022

• Keep the passport in the baggage at all times. Before departing, one must provide it to the airport administration.
• The pieces of fabric worn by visitors during haj are referred to as Ihram. It is a symbol of Muslim togetherness.
• Visitors may carry a pocket-sized Quran and a dua book in the baggage. They may recite the Quran or dua while on the plane or anywhere.
• Always bring an umbrella during Hajj to protect oneself from the searing sun.
• Don’t forget to bring a prayer mat. Make sure it’s not too heavy.
• Female pilgrims are required to wear at least two hijabs. They should also have a clothespin, rubber band, and hair clips.
• Don’t forget to bring a smartphone charger. Double-check the luggage to see if everything is kept.
• A pair of goggles is usually not essential, but it is always a good idea to have on hand. It protects the eyes from the sun’s rays.

Inside the flight, one should have the following items

• Waist pouch: The waist pouch is where one may keep their passport, ticket, and money.
• Cotton: Always have cotton on hand. Due to a pressure imbalance on the plane, visitors may get an earache.
• Lock: To avoid theft, keep the bags locked at all times. Make sure pilgrims have a pain reliever, dysentery control pills, additional surgical masks, and hand sanitizer.
• Pen and diary: To note down essential details about the journey.

Before and after Hajj, pilgrims should organize their schedules. In addition, they should ensure that they abide by the guidelines of travel and baggage set by the Hajj committees of other nations and have kept all essential items before setting off for their spiritual journey.

Suggested Read: Hajj – The Primary Muslim Pilgrimage To Mecca: Rules, Rituals And More

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