The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that children will not be allowed to participate in Hajj 2025 to ensure crowd control and protect their safety during the pilgrimage. Despite increasing the Hajj quota by 10,000, around 67,000 private scheme pilgrims will still be affected. The ban, first announced in February 2025, is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to make Hajj more safe and organized. Officials cited extreme heat, long walking distances, and the demanding schedule as reasons young children are not fit for the journey. Pilgrims and travel agents have been urged to follow the rule, which is temporary but necessary.