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Saudi Arabia will lift COVID-19 restrictions on this year's hajj, with the number of pilgrims expected to reach pre-pandemic levels, Reuters reported, citing the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.

In 2019, the last year before the start of the pandemic, about 2.6 million people performed the Hajj pilgrimage.

The kingdom allowed only a limited number of its own residents to participate in the hajj in 2020 and 2021, and last year it again welcomed foreign pilgrims, but quantitative restrictions were in place.

For this reason, the foreign Hajis were only one million.

The Hajj Ministry said Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites Mecca and Medina, will not impose restrictions for this season, including age restrictions.

Last year, only people who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, aged 18 to 65 and who did not suffer from chronic diseases were admitted.

Millions of Muslims gathered this year's Hajj in Mecca

This year's Hajj pilgrimage season is expected to begin on June 26.

Over the years, Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars to create better conditions for hajj pilgrims and ensure their security, Reuters noted, quoted by BTA.

Every Muslim is obliged, if his health and well-being permit, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his life.