KUWAIT: As the hajj season nears with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aiming to host around one million pilgrims this year after easing COVID-19 restrictions, the Kuwaiti authority is working on necessary procedures preparations to facilitate hajj for those embarking to complete this pillar of the Islamic faith. Kuwait's hajj pilgrims this year amount to 3,622 with conditions being set that only nationals were allow to head to Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims must have taken two jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine, should not be over 65 of age and must provide a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure in line with Saudi authority guidelines.

Speaking to the press regarding this hajj season, Assistant at the Ministry of Awqaf (Endowment) and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Al-Mutairi revealed that a joint committee consisting of the Ministries of Awqaf and Health as well as the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) was established to look into preparations for Kuwaiti hajj pilgrims. He added that the committee was coordinating with Saudi hajj authorities to make sure that pilgrims from Kuwait would attend to their rituals during this special journey. In a similar statement, head of the Ministry's hajj and Umrah affairs Sattam Al-Mezyan affirmed that the ministry was working on several measures to facilitate hajj for pilgrims. He revealed that Umrah and hajj tour providers obtain necessary permits to be able to organize their campaigns and offer services.

Several steps must be made to allow both pilgrims and the officials running tours to attend hajj and this includes registration in the state's official hajj website, he indicated, noting that various states entities were working together to facilitate hajj pilgrimage. On Thursday, the Kuwaiti supreme committee for hajj had assigned its members and teams to put the final touches and prepare pilgrims for this great ritual.

Saudi Arabia welcomed last week its first batch of hajj pilgrims since before the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted authorities to sharply restrict the annual ritual. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means at least once in their lives. Usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people participated in 2019. But after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Saudi authorities announced they would only let 1,000 pilgrims take part. The following year, they increased the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents chosen through a lottery. Barring overseas pilgrims caused deep disappointment among Muslims worldwide, who typically save for years to take part.

In April, the kingdom announced it would permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj, which will take place in July. The hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city, Makkah, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia. - Agencies