Saudi Arabia bans entry of children to holy sites during Hajj

Ahead of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia announced a policy preventing pilgrims from bringing children to the holy sites.  The measure aims to safeguard children from the risks associated with overcrowding.

An announcement shared by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah cited the need to safeguard children from potential overcrowding.

“This step has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to mitigate any potential harm during the Hajj pilgrimage,” stated a notification that also cleared that the first-time pilgrim would be prioritized for the upcoming Hajj. 

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, measures have been taken to ensure top-notch services for Pakistani Hajj participants.

Read: Govt announces Hajj 2025 expenses for pilgrims

Earlier, a new 20-25 day condensed Hajj program was introduced to enhance convenience and comfort of pilgrims. Under this program, Pakistani pilgrims will receive designated accommodations in Mina, and the costs for the pilgrimage will be reduced.

Pilgrims will have the option to choose accommodation in Madinah for a stay ranging from four to eight days.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj also announced that all necessary information for the pilgrims will be accessible through a dedicated mobile app.

“Each pilgrim will receive a specially designed bag containing the Pakistani flag, a QR code for identification, and relevant information,” according to the agreement.