Pilgrims Begin To Perform Farewell Tawaf, Saudi Arabian Authorities Call This Year's Hajj Safe And Healthy

Illustration of pilgrims crowding the Grand Mosque in Mecca. (Wikimedia Commons/Adli Wahid)

JAKARTA - The hajj pilgrims began performing their farewell tawaf on Monday as the beginning of the end of this season's hajj, with the authorities calling this year's implementation safe and healthy.

In 2020 and 2021, the Hajj will be restricted to residents of Saudi Arabia due to Covid-19, and limited to 60,000 pilgrims, compared to the pre-pandemic number of 2.5 million pilgrims.

This year, with the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions, Saudi Arabia has welcomed nearly one million domestic and foreign pilgrims.

The organization of the Hajj at the holy sites has been overseen by Prince Khaled Al Faisal, the governor of Makkah, and the Minister of the Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud.

A number of institutions, including security authorities and health workers, have also been involved in providing all the services that pilgrims may need.

Fahd Al Jalajel, Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, on Monday confirmed that this year's hajj was free of any outbreaks or public health problems.

"I am pleased to announce the success of this Hajj plan for the year 1443 H at all levels of security, service and health without noting any accidents or epidemic diseases among pilgrims," he said.

He further said that the Saudi Red Crescent had provided flying ambulance services for 17 of the 38 recorded cases of COVID-19, to be treated according to health protocols.

Illustration of a female police officer watching worshipers at the Grand Mosque. (Twitter/Haramain Sharifain)

He noted that more than 230 health facilities provide specialized medical services to pilgrims across the holy site. More than 25,000 health practitioners and 2,000 volunteers also serve 130,000 worshippers, citing Arab News.

During the Hajj season, medical personnel performed 10 open-heart surgeries and performed more than 187 cardiac catheterizations and 447 kidney washes, the health minister said.

The Ministry of Health announced that Riyadh's Seha SVH Virtual Hospital has provided excellent services, and more than 1,700 worshipers have benefited from virtual medical consultations through the Sehay app.

This app contributed to the diagnosis of four stroke cases, completed six remote X-ray analyzes and helped save the lives of complex cases requiring remote critical care services.

Hamad Al Otaibi, Makkah Health Affairs representative, on Monday said the government's efforts had ensured a 'safe and healthy Hajj season'.

"Alhamdulillah we are seeing the successful return of the hajj season with nearly one million pilgrims. We are sure to see the capacity expanded in the years to come, as we see a successful, safe and healthy hajj season being held in this country," he explained.

Separately, Bahrain's King Hamad Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa congratulated King Salman on a successful Hajj. King Hamad praised Saudi Arabia's efforts in organizing the pilgrimage as well as enforcing COVID-19 prevention measures.

Meanwhile, Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also praised the Saudi government's efforts in serving the holy sites and pilgrims, and congratulated the kingdom on organizing a successful Hajj season.

He also made special mention of those who work during the hajj in the many sectors that oversee the organization of this year's hajj.

The Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Allam appreciated the kingdom's efforts and the great steps it has taken, in providing advanced technology services to pilgrims.