Haj pilgrimage: Saudi Arabia lifts restrictions on number, age limit, after three years
Riyadh: After imposition of restrictions for three years to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia will not limit the number of pilgrims for this year's Haj, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Haj and Umrah, has said.
Addressing reporters in Riyadh on Monday, Al Rabiah said that the age limit too will not be imposed on the pilgrims, whose number will return to what it was prior to the pandemic outbreak, reports Khaleej Times.
The pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once, is scheduled for June.
About 2.5 million people took part in the rituals in 2019, but in the next two years, the number of pilgrims was cut down drastically due to Covid-19.
Nearly 900,000 pilgrims – including about 780,000 pilgrims from abroad – were welcomed to Makkah and Madinah in 2022.
The rules were set down last year that the pilgrims had to be under 65 years of age, necessarily have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and also present a negative test against the pandemic.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
_vb_69.jpeg)
Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
