Saudi Arabian health authorities are eyeing the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccination as part of the requirement to be allowed to attend the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year according to a report by Okaz.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Haj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come),” the report said.

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Saudi Arabia is the location of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, known for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj for Muslims around the world.

The kingdom reduced the number of attendees and pilgrims last year due to the pandemic to 1,000.

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Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government.

Last year the pilgrimage was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. (TDT)

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