⦿ Indonesia, Singapore have cancelled their participation in this year's hajj
⦿ Saudi considers limiting hajj pilgrims amid coronavirus fears


Source/Credit: MiddleEastMonitor & TheWeek

Uncertainty persists on how Saudi Arabia intends to organise the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites at Mecca and Medina. For all able-bodied Muslims, hajj is regarded as being mandatory at least once in life.

However, the continuing COVID-19 outbreak across the globe has cast a shadow over this year's hajj. This year, the week-long hajj is scheduled to begin on July 28. Read More

An aerial view shows an empty white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba, due to the coronavirus pandemic in Makkah's Grand Mosque on 6 March 2020P [BANDAR ALDANDANI/AFP/Getty Images]


Saudi Arabia could drastically limit numbers at the annual hajj pilgrimage to prevent a further outbreak of coronavirus after cases in the country topped 100,000, sources familiar with the matter said to Reuters on Monday.

Some 2.5 million pilgrims visit the holiest sites of Islam in Mecca and Medina for the week-long hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. Official data show hajj and the lesser, year-round umrah pilgrimage earn the kingdom about $12 billion a year.

Saudi Arabia asked Muslims in March to put hajj plans on hold and suspended umrah until further notice.

Two sources familiar with the matter said authorities are now considering allowing “only symbolic numbers” this year, with restrictions including a ban on older pilgrims and additional health checks. Read More