Egypt has pledged to strictly implement the rule that prevents pilgrims from repeating the Haj if they have already performed it within the previous five years. "This decision is aimed at giving the chance to other citizens, especially low- and medium-income people, to perform the fifth pillar of Islam," Umaimah Al-Hussaini, a senior official at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, told Arab News by telephone on Thursday night. Tourism Undersecretary Osama Al-Ashri said the passports of those who apply to perform Hajj this year will be thoroughly checked. "Anyone with a Haj visa in their passports since 2005 will not be allowed to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj, which takes place in mid-November. Al-Ashri said this would not affect the number of Hajj visas allotted to Hajj tour operators as there will be plenty of demand. Umaimah Al-Hussaini said "The quota of Hajj visas for Egypt, which was 50,000 visas last year, is increased this year to 80,000."
