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LAHORE, Nov 16 (APP): The Saudi government has imposed a ban on sick pilgrims for Hajj 2026 and has introduced a deportation policy for those who attempt to perform the pilgrimage despite being unfit.
The Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that sick pilgrims will be sent back to their home countries, with the cost of their return to be borne by the pilgrims themselves. Additionally, action will be taken against doctors who issue fitness certificates to those not physically fit to perform Hajj.
According to local sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Saudi Ministry of Health has outlined specific medical conditions that will bar pilgrims from participating in Hajj 2026.
The Ministry of Health has stated that pilgrims with kidney diseases or who require dialysis will not be allowed to perform Hajj. Patients with heart conditions deemed unfit for travel will also be prohibited from attending.
Further bans will apply to individuals suffering from lung and liver diseases, as well as those with severe neurological or psychiatric conditions, including dementia, severe disabilities, and poor memory.
Other groups banned from Hajj include elderly individuals with severe health conditions such as Alzheimer’s and rheumatism, pregnant women, and those suffering from illnesses like whooping cough, tuberculosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, or cancer.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasized that a medical officer will be responsible for preventing unfit individuals from leaving for Hajj. Additionally, Saudi monitoring teams will verify the validity of fitness certificates to ensure that only those in suitable health will be allowed to travel to Hajj.