Saudi Arabia said on Monday that it would prohibit arrivals from abroad to participate in the hajj this year due to coronaviruses, allowing only a limited number of Saudi citizens and residents to implement the pilgrimage along with social security measures.
The declaration means that this will be the first year in modern times when Muslims around the world have not been allowed to undertake the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which aims to perform all Muslims at least once in a lifetime.
“This decision is made in a safe manner from a public health point of view so that all preventive measures and the social visionary protocols necessary to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic can be followed and followed in accordance with the teachings of Islam. The Ministry, which oversees the pilgrimages, said in a statement, “Preserving human life.
Following the increase in new infections in the last two weeks, the number of coronovirus cases in Saudi Arabia has exceeded 1,30,000.
Some 2.5 million pilgrims usually visit Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina for a week-long Hajj. Official figures show that Saudi Arabia earns approximately $ 12 billion from the Hajj and lesser, year-round pilgrimage known as Umrah.
The state halted international passenger flights in March and asked Muslims in March to keep Haj plans until further notice. International arrivals for Umrah pilgrimages have also been suspended until further notice.
Earlier this month, both Malaysia and Indonesia barred their citizens from going to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimages, citing fears of coronovirus.
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