The Saudi authorities, represented by the Haj and Umrah Ministry, have issued an official directive prohibiting children from joining the Haj rituals this year.
The decision aims to ensure the safety of children and avoid their exposure to any harm as a result of the crowding that the season witnesses annually.
The Haj and Umrah Ministry also said that this year priority would be given to those who have not performed Haj before.
These decisions reflect a rational and wise administrative approach in dealing with one of the largest annual human gatherings in the world.
Haj represents a major logistical challenge as it requires managing millions of pilgrims in a limited space and time.
Allowing children to attend may add an additional burden, not only on families, but also on those who are forced to provide care for them, in addition to the infrastructure and services dedicated to pilgrims. Children, by nature, may be prone to fatigue and exhaustion, which may expose them to health risks and hinder their families from performing the rituals.
The decision to give priority to those who have not performed Haj reflects the spirit of justice and equal opportunities, and is a positive step to ensure that the largest possible number of Muslims can achieve this great pillar of Islam, especially in light of the limited numbers allowed for Haj every year.
From my point of view, Haj is not just a religious ritual, but a spiritual experience that requires focus, calm and reverence.
Regulating the number of pilgrims will improve the quality of the spiritual experience, as the pilgrim finds a greater opportunity to focus on worship instead of being preoccupied with field challenges.
The decision also reflects a long-term vision to improve the Haj experience and manage it effectively.
With the increasing number of Muslims worldwide, scientifically thoughtful planning becomes a necessity to ensure the sustainability of Haj as a pillar of our true Islamic religion.
Therefore, this decision goes beyond being an administrative measure to being a step that enhances Islamic values by facilitating the performance of rituals safely and reassuringly for all.
I sincerely hope pilgrims perform Haj rituals with all humility and faith and avoid filming scenes and themselves and posting them on social media.
I thank the Saudi authorities for this wise decision that we have been waiting for, for a long time, away from all the fatwas issued by clerics and their illogical interpretations.
We have always called for more development, facilities and services provided to the guests of God, as we have often heard criticisms from pilgrims in the past regarding logistical services, cleanliness, transportation, housing and others. But to be fair, the Saudi government, as everyone testifies, has made strenuous efforts to develop all services and facilities in the past seasons.
Personally, I see that these continuous developmental measures taken by the Saudi authorities are appreciated by countries around the world. It proves that Saudi Arabia has the potential to achieve more accomplishments in serving pilgrims. Here, we can only raise our hats to it, wishing it continued success and prosperity in various fields.
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