Saudi Arabia has implemented a health restriction for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, barring individuals with certain serious health conditions from participating.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently issued a health advisory, which the Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs has received. The advisory states that only healthy and fit individuals can undertake the Hajj journey. Specifically, pilgrims with severe heart, liver, kidney, lung, or cancer diseases are advised against performing the Hajj due to the strenuous nature of the pilgrimage and the extreme weather conditions expected.
Additionally, the advisory restricts participation in the Hajj to individuals suffering from contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and whooping cough. It also prohibits pregnant women and children under 12 from undertaking the pilgrimage next year.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasized that for Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia requires all pilgrims to be vaccinated against COVID-19, polio, seasonal influenza, and meningitis to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
