Now the 12- to 18-year-olds can be a part of the annual Hajj as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that local pilgrims in the age group can obtain Umrah permits provided if they have received two vaccine doses.

The news was announced owing to the inauguration of the 2021 Umrah season on August 10. Over 13,000 permits were issued for this age group, that allowed them to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque.

With an integrated system of services and preventive measures ensuring the safety and health of those wishing to perform Umrah rituals, deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Suleiman Mashat, said that Umrah permits are issued through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications.

The ministry has worked with other authorities before this year’s Umrah season to establish executive mechanisms and create a safe environment for pilgrims.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia will also begin receiving Umrah pilgrimage requests from vaccinated foreign worshippers starting on August 9.
While requests have been pouring in, the need to adhere to health procedures established by the ministry to ensure the safety of pilgrims and those serving them, and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has been put in place.

Saudi Arabia stopped the Umrah following the pandemic but reopened it to immunised domestic worshippers in October last year. The Hajj took place in July this year and last year and was only open to a limited number of domestic worshippers.