Today, Saudi authorities will issue visas for over 1.2 million pilgrims for the annual Hajj, with preparations underway for their arrival before mid-May, as reported by media citing Saudi officials on Thursday.
A committee tasked with pilgrim accommodation in Makkah has licensed 1,860 buildings for this year’s Hajj, aiming to house around 1.2 million pilgrims.
The 2019 Hajj is set from June 14 to June 19, contingent on lunar observations. Pilgrim numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic figures.
Visa issuance begins March 1 and extends to April 29, announced Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah. Pilgrim arrivals will start on May 9.
Saudi Arabia introduced new Hajj regulations, emphasizing early preparation without allocating fixed sites for countries.
Country-specific accommodations will be determined post-contract finalization, Al Rabiah noted. The count of pilgrims housed in Makkah is expected to surpass 5,000.
Makkah’s Deputy Governor, Prince Saud bin Meshal, has extended the building licensing application deadline to May 8.
