Saudi Arabia sets minimum age for Haj pilgrims at 15 years

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RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian government has officially set 15 years as the minimum age for pilgrims to participate in the upcoming Hajj season.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that individuals who have not reached the age of 15 by the 9th of Zilhaj (May 27, 2026) will not be eligible to perform the pilgrimage.

This decision primarily focuses on the physical demands of the pilgrimage and the safety of younger travelers. In coordination with this mandate, airlines have been instructed to enforce strict boarding protocols, and any Hajj visas previously issued to those under the age limit are now considered canceled.

To assist affected families, the government has confirmed that all deposited funds for underage applicants will be fully refunded. Despite these changes, Hajj operations remain on track, with the ‘Route to Makkah’ initiative continuing to streamline the process for tens of thousands of pilgrims arriving from across the globe.

Photo Credits: AFP