Dhaka: After a hiatus of two years following the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has finally opened the doors to Muslims around the world to perform Hajj pilgrimage in 2022.

As many as 57,856 worshippers from Bangladesh can travel to Mecca for the biggest annual Islamic ritual Hajj in 2022, said State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque.

The Saudi government has cut down visas for Hajj pilgrims to 100,000 in 2022, a big reduction from 250,000 before the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Saudi government, only people under the age of 65 who completed their Covid-19 vaccination courses will be eligible for Hajj in 2022. Everyone must have their Covid-19 negative certificates on them at all times and maintain the health rules strictly.

Bangladeshi government has accommodated visits of as many as 2,605 people for Hajj in 2022, while 51,882 will be travelling through private arrangements.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said, “Registrations are automated, no one can mess with it. Those who are ahead in the queue will get their opportunities earlier on first come first serve basis.”