The Saudi government has set a new age limit for performing Hajj this year. Accordingly, no child or teenager under the age of 15 is being allowed to perform Hajj this time. Many people have suddenly found themselves in trouble with such a decision by the Saudi authorities in the middle of the Hajj season. Many parents in the country have registered their children under the age of 15 to perform the holy Hajj. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has come forward to resolve this crisis.

Pilgrims who have someone under the age of 15 registered with them can take someone else with them instead of that child or teenager if they want. And if no one is available to take them with them, they can get the money deposited for that companion back. The ministry instructed the relevant Hajj agencies on Thursday (March 20) for this.

A notification in this regard signed by Mamun Al-Farooq, Deputy Secretary of the Hajj Branch of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said that if any of the registered child pilgrims and their accompanying parents or guardians are unable to perform Hajj, an equal number of pilgrims can be replaced. If no replacement pilgrim is available, the child pilgrim and, where applicable, his/her parents or guardians will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Private Hajj agency owners have been instructed to provide one of the two options to anyone who wants to take it.