Hajj pilgrims urged to ensure vaccination before departure

Islamabad – The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has suggested all Hajj pilgrims to get vaccinated at least five days before they depart for Saudi Arabia.

The advisory was issued to avoid any discomfort during the religious journey which is long and tiring and can cause pilgrims to fall prey to different infections if not vaccinated properly.

Additionally, the authorities have urged pilgrims to adhere to the stringent vaccination criteria implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Health. The purpose of the rules is to safeguard public health during one of the globe’s largest yearly gatherings.

In this regard, the pilgrims are recommended to attend their assigned Haji camps five days before their flight (from 9 am to 5 pm) to get vaccinations for meningitis, seasonal influenza, and polio, as well as to obtain a yellow card.

Furthermore, every pilgrim would be given a package consisting of a spacious travel bag, a compact hand-carry bag, a shoe bag, an Ihram belt for men, and a scarf for women. The ministry has stressed that prospective pilgrims must consider this as a mandatory requirement.

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Pilgrims perform a series of rituals, symbolizing unity, equality, and spiritual cleansing.

The first flight from Pakistan is set to depart on May 9 of this year. This marks the commencement of an extraordinary journey for millions of faithful pilgrims worldwide, as the first inbound flights from participating countries are expected to touch down.

The arrival of the final inbound flight on June 10, this year, will signify the conclusion of the initial phase of airlift operations for the pilgrimage, symbolizing a momentous milestone in the annual pilgrimage process. The government of Pakistan was given over 170,000 seats for Hajj this year.