NEW DELHI: As the government set in motion the process for preparations for Haj 2021, the guidelines make it clear that those having severe medical conditions such as heart condition, comorbidities, advanced respiratory, liver, or kidney diseases or senility will not be allowed at this stage due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation.
Also pregnant women, infants and children below the age of 18 years in view of
coronavirus pandemic are strictly restricted for Haj 2021 as of now. These are some of the conditions in the guidelines issued by the Haj Committee of India for Haj 2021.
The Committee under the ministry of minority affairs has also made it clear that arrangements for Haj will be made under special circumstances with special norms, eligibility criteria, age restrictions, health and fitness requirements and other relevant conditions as Saudi Arabia may impose as and and when they feel appropriate amid the pandemic.
Union minister
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Saturday that Haj pilgrims who will register for next year’s pilgrimage will have to submit Covid-19 negative report 72 hours prior to their journey to Saudi Arabia. December 10 is the last date for submitting applications for Haj pilgrimage 2021.
Naqvi said that Haj 2021 is scheduled for June-July 2021, and the entire Haj process is being held according to the necessary guidelines issued by the Saudi Arabia government and the government of India in view of the pandemic.
The minority affairs minister also shared that the embarkation points for Haj 2021 have been reduced to ten in view of the Covid-19 situation and the feedback received from Air India and other agencies. Previously, there were 21 such embarking locations across the country. The ten boarding spots include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Srinagar.
Naqvi said applications filled for Haj 2020 by women in “without mehram (male companion)” category are valid for Haj 2021 as well. “Besides, new applications are also being accepted from women who want to perform Haj 2021 without mehram,” he said. The minister also said Muslim women applying in “without mehram” category will be exempted from the
lottery system