Saudi Arabia has banned gatherings and meetings during the Hajj this year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as authorities in the kingdom announced health protocols for the annual pilgrimage.
The kingdom decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the Hajj to about 1,000 because of the pandemic and barred Muslims abroad from the pilgrimage for the first time in modern era.
Touching the Kaaba will be banned during the Hajj this year, and pilgrims will have to keep a minimum distance of one and a half metres from one another during the rituals including mass prayers and while performing tawaf (walk around the Kaaba seven times), a statement by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said.
Starting from July 19 until August 2, 2020 access to Hajj sites at Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat will be limited to those with Hajj permits, and wearing masks will be mandatory for pilgrims and organisers, according to the state news agency.
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Men wearing protective face masks stand as they work on raising the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, before the annual pilgrimage season, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS -
A security man checks the temperature of a worker as they work on raising the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, before the annual pilgrimage season, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS -
Workers wearing protective face masks work on raising the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, before the annual pilgrimage season, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS -
The President of the Haramain Sheikh Abdul Rehman Al Sudais inspects the King Abdulaziz Gate at the Grand Mosque. SPA -
Saudi officials and workers pose for a photo after inspections ahead of Hajj. SPA -
The King Abdulaziz Gate at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. SPA -
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah inspects the equipment prepared for the service of pilgrims this year -
the Minister of Hajj and Umrah inspects the equipment prepared for the service of pilgrims this year -
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah inspects the equipment prepared for the service of pilgrims this year -
A few worshippers performing the fajr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has announced it will hold a "very limited" Hajj this year. AFP -
Saudi Arabia's authorities said only a limited number of people, who are already in Saudi Arabia, will be able to perform the Hajj amid a spike of cases and deaths in the kingdom. AFP -
Arab countries have expressed their support for Saudi Arabia's decision to ban pilgrims from abroad attending the Hajj pilgrimage this year to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP -
Arafat mountain in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. Egypt, home of Al Azhar, one of the Muslim world’s main centres of learning, quickly came out in support of the decision. AFP -
Egyptan Religious Affairs Minister Mukhtar Jumah described the downsizing as “practical” and “conforming with jurisprudence regarding the pandemic”. AFP -
Hundreds of thousands usually perform Hajj every year. AFP -
Bahraini Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister Khaled Bin Khalifa said the ban “conforms with the core values of Islam” and that Bahrain appreciates what he described as Saudi Arabia’s quest to save lives. AFP -
The Emirates Hajj Affairs Office said Saudi Arabia's move “preserves the health of the people and their lives, which is one of the main purposes of our honoured religion”. AFP -
Part of the Grand Mosque complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AFP
The World Health Organisation has backed the decision of Saudi Arabia to drastically limit this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said there were major questions about how to hold large gatherings safely as countries start to ease some restrictions.
“This [decision] is another example of the hard choices that all countries must make to put health first,” the director general said.
“We understand that it was not an easy decision to make. And we also understand it is a major disappointment for many Muslims who are looking forward to making their pilgrimage this year,” Mr Tedros said.
“This decision was made based on a risk assessment and analysis of different scenarios in accordance with WHO’s guidance to protect the safety of pilgrims and minimise the risk of transmission. WHO supports this decision.”
