Saudi Arabia to hold ‘limited’ Hajj with reduced number of pilgrims

Merge 104.8  |  23 June 2020

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced it will host a limited Hajj this year in late July with a reduced number of pilgrims.

Cover image for illustrative purposes only. Source: Shutterstock

As Al Jazeera reports, the Saudi Press Agency stated that, due to implications from the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingdom will host a ‘very limited’ Hajj with a reduced number of pilgrims of various nationalities already residing in the country.

As per Al Jazeera the statement from the Saudi Press Agency clarified: “The decision comes in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases around the world, the lack of a vaccine, and difficulty maintaining a safe physical distance among large numbers of pilgrims coming from overseas.”

Each year, the Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj draws over two million worshippers from around the world to the holy city of Mecca.

Source: Al Jazeera

(Also read: Dubai to allow visitors from July 7 amid COVID-19 precautions.)