Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced significant changes for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. According to the latest Saudi Arabia news, the ministry will prevent children from participating in Hajj 2025, prioritizing adult first-time pilgrims for the sacred journey.
The new restrictions will prioritize pilgrim safety by addressing safety concerns stemming from historical incidents related to overcrowding and extreme weather conditions in Mecca. The Mecca news announcement details that children will not be permitted to participate in the upcoming pilgrimage season, as part of the Kingdom’s comprehensive safety measures.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that first-time pilgrims will receive precedence over those who have previously completed the pilgrimage. This initiative aims to provide more Muslims with the opportunity to fulfill their religious obligation at least once in their lifetime.
In a recent announcement about the pilgrimage quota for 2025, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, emphasized the importance of pilgrim welfare, stating, “We are committed to ensuring that all pilgrims arrive in good health and are physically capable of performing their rites. We warmly welcome them, but their health and ability to complete the pilgrimage safely remain a priority.”
In the past weeks, the ministry has also implemented stricter visa regulations for pilgrims from certain countries. These updated policies include issuing 30-day single-entry visas rather than multi-entry visas, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preventing visa misuse while maintaining the sanctity of the pilgrimage.