Hajj firm warns about booking without up-to-date requirements

One of the leading travel companies in north-west England used by Muslims going to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage has warned that it is not taking bookings until it receives official updates from the Kingdom, Asian Image has reported.

Altaf Arif of Arif Hajj and Umrah said that would-be pilgrims should not pay any deposits for their trips until confirmation is received from the Saudi authorities. “We are being inundated for Hajj 2021 bookings. We appreciate people’s confidence in our team, but as per our policy we must advise you honestly,” he said.

There has been no official statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah about the pilgrimage this year. However, in the first week of March, it was announced that Muslims wanting to visit Makkah for the annual pilgrimage must provide proof that they’ve been vaccinated twice against Covid-19 and are aged between 18 and 60.

Last year, the Hajj was limited to just 1,000 pilgrims who lived in Saudi Arabia, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia started its own vaccination programme on 17 December with the Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca jabs approved for use.

READ: Saudi says covid vaccine needed for Hajj pilgrims