African worshipers hail lifting of quotas for Mecca pilgrimage
Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 8, 2019. (Illustrative Image) REUTERS - Waleed Ali
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Saudi Arabia announced on Monday (January 9th) that it will not impose limits on the number of pilgrims this year for the Hajj, scheduled for the end of June.
Also lifting of the age limit set at 65 during the Covid crisis.
These measures are a relief for many faithful, especially in Africa.
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♦ In Côte d'Ivoire, where the quota of pilgrims had fallen from 9,000 to 4,527 due to the health crisis, this lifting of restrictions is seen as a return to normal.
It is a feeling of joy.
My mom couldn't make the trip last year, it was a shock for her because she had the vaccine, the passport, the money was there... Unfortunately, she couldn't make the trip because that the age was not at the rendezvous.
So when I heard about that, I said to myself that next year, she will be able to go.
Relief among Ivorian pilgrims and travel agencies
Bineta Diagne
♦ In Mauritania too, worshipers welcomed the end of Hajj restrictions.
Some are already preparing for the prospect of a big trip to Mecca this year.
Of course, I am overjoyed.
The Covid years have been difficult for all Mauritanian Muslims or foreigners residing in Mauritania.
Let's not forget that many foreigners living in Mauritania do the Hajj from here.
We are happy with the decision taken by the Saudi authorities.
We give thanks to God.
The lifting of quotas is welcomed by the Mauritanian population
Salem Mejbour
♦ In Senegal, the lifting of restrictions for pilgrimage is also a relief.
Particularly for tourist agencies and associations that organize group trips.
The fall in the quotas had pushed up the prices and it was above all the maximum age of 65 years that posed a problem, because the vast majority of pilgrims are elders.
It's a relief, everyone applauds with both hands.
Senegal has a particularity: generally, the largest percentage of our pilgrims are elderly people.
We had registered many pilgrims, but we had to explain to them that they could no longer leave.
Some had even paid their money already.
That's why I say it's a great relief...
Imam Bachir Diop, who organizes trips to Mecca each year within his community
Guillaume Thibault
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Ivory Coast
Senegal
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