RIYADH: Saudi authorities have dropped an age limit on overseas Muslims performing Umrah or lesser pilgrimage.
Earlier the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had limited permits for performing Umrah for overseas Muslims to those aged from 18 to 50 years.
However, Okaz newspaper said the ministry had scrapped this age limit, allowing Umrah permits for pilgrims coming from abroad for those over 50 years as well.
According to the new rule, the overseas Muslims under 18 are still not allowed to perform Umrah. Meanwhile, people aged from 12 and above residing inside Saudi Arabia are able to obtain permits to perform Umrah provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
