Saudi Mecca Eases Quarantine Rules... Up to 1 Million Pilgrims Allowed

Foreign Pilgrimage Allowed After 3 Years

Pilgrims performing the 'Hajj' pilgrimage are circling the Kaaba shrine, the Islamic holy site in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on the 5th (local time). (Photo by AFP Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] One of the largest Islamic religious events, the Mecca pilgrimage (Hajj), is being held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic with significantly relaxed quarantine regulations.

According to ABC News and others on the 6th (local time), about 1 million people, including pilgrims visiting from overseas, gathered in the Islamic holy sites of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

The Pilgrimage Department has eased the number of attendees for this year's Hajj to 1 million, including 850,000 overseas visitors. Notably, foreign pilgrims were allowed to participate for the first time in three years. Those caught performing the pilgrimage without official permission face a fine of 10,000 riyals (approximately 3.48 million KRW).

The Mecca pilgrimage is divided into 'Umrah,' which can be performed at any time, and the annually scheduled 'Hajj.' This year's Hajj period is from the 7th to the 12th.