NEWS
Saudi Arabia Prioritizes First-Time Pilgrims, Bans Children from 2025 Hajj

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia has officially banned children from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The policy was announced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Friday (2/14), citing the need to ensure children's safety amid the high density of pilgrims this year.
"This measure is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to reduce potential risks during Hajj," the ministry stated.
Additionally, the government has decided that the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will be prioritized for pilgrims who have never performed Hajj before. This year, the Hajj season is expected to begin between June 4-6, 2025.
As part of its efforts to reduce overcrowding, Saudi Arabia has previously implemented several policies, including visa restrictions for citizens of 14 countries, including Indonesia.
The government now only issues single-entry visas valid for 30 days to prevent unregistered pilgrims from attempting to perform Hajj.