Authorities Advise Hajj Pilgrims Against Taking Too Many Selfies in Grand Mosque
Religious Affairs Ministry's Hajj pilgrimage organizing committee (PPIH) has issued an advice on the issue. "Taking too many selfies in front of the Kaaba will disrupt the solemnity of your rituals as well as of the other pilgrims' (rituals)," Central PPIH spokesperson Akhmad Fauzin said at a press conference on Hajj pilgrimage implementation in Jakarta on Monday.
He also outlined a number of strict prohibitions that Hajj pilgrims in the area of the Grand Mosque will need to pay close attention to, including unfurling banners to take group photos and taking selfies in front of the Kaaba with objects resembling humans and animals antaranews reported.
The Saudi Arabian security authorities will impose sanctions on those found violating the applicable prohibitions, he added.
"With that in mind, the committee is constantly reminding pilgrims to maintain focus on the Hajj ritual during their stay in the Holy Land, particularly during activities at the Grand Mosque. Please refrain from doing too many activities unrelated to worship," Fauzin said.
The Hajj pilgrimage is an annual Islamic ritual that Muslims are required to perform at least once in their lifetime, if they are able. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place in Mecca and Medina, the holiest sites in Islam. The Hajj pilgrimage for 2023 is expected to start on June 26
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hajj pilgrimage faced restrictions for three years, limiting the number of pilgrims who could attend. In 2019, before the pandemic, about 2.6 million people performed the Hajj. In 2020, only 1,000 Saudis were allowed to perform the Hajj. In 2021, the number was increased to 60,000 Saudi pilgrims. In 2022, about 900,000 pilgrims - including some 780,000 foreigners - visited Mecca and Medina.
The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has announced that the Hajj pilgrims quota for 2023 will be restored to pre-pandemic numbers, meaning that more than 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world are expected to perform the Hajj in 2023. The ministry has also removed any age limits or mahram requirements for pilgrims. However, pilgrims are required to complete Covid-19 and influenza vaccines, and have a valid meningitis vaccine certificate at least 10 days before arriving at the holy sites. The ministry has urged pilgrims to only go through licensed companies and institutions for any Hajj-related services
Source: Agencies
