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HAJJ

Dr Hamza Alherz at the holy mosque of Makkah. Courtesy Dr Hamza Alherz

‘I burst into tears’: front line coronavirus workers reflect on an emotional Hajj journey

GCC
Worshippers perform the evening (Isha) prayers at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AFP

What is the Hajj pilgrimage? A guide to the rituals and dates

Saudi Arabia
Pilgrims praying during the Tawaf Al Ifadah during the symbolic ritual of 'Stoning the Devil', throwing seven pebbles at the largest of the three pillars, known as Jamrat Al-Aqaba on the third day of Hajj 2020 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. EPA via Saudi Ministry of Media

No coronavirus at Hajj as pilgrims head for isolation and home

GCC
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social destination to protect themselves against the coronavirus ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

Hajj rituals have continued in the face of crises for centuries

GCC
Hajj and Eid News

Minimalist Hajj this year will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage

Comment

How the journey to a Covid-19 vaccine began on the Hajj

MENA

Gazans prepare for Eid without coronavirus restrictions

MENA

Pilgrims prepare for a most unusual Hajj amid coronavirus

Editorial

Eid Al Adha 2019: UAE health authorities warn against butchering livestock at home

UAE

Hajj health and safety campaign launched

UAE

Saudi Arabia opening 'electronic gates' for Qatari Hajj pilgrims

MENA
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social destination to protect themselves against the coronavirus ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

Watch: Hajj pilgrims socially distance as they circle the Kaaba
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umra on July 25, 2020, shows a medical worker, mask-clad due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, checking the body temperature of travellers arriving for the annual Hajj pilgrimage at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. The 2020 hajj season, which has been scaled back dramatically to include only around 1,000 Muslim pilgrims as Saudi Arabia battles a coronavirus surge, is set to begin on July 29. Some 2.5 million people from all over the world usually participate in the ritual that takes place over several days, centred on the holy city of Mecca. This year's hajj will be held under strict hygiene protocols, with access limited to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses. - === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / MINISTRY OF HAJJ AND UMRA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === / AFP / Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umra / - / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / MINISTRY OF HAJJ AND UMRA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===

Watch: Hajj pilgrims arrive in Makkah
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 July 22, 2020. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Watch: Hajj explained and how it will be very different this year
epa08553936 Sacrificial dromedaries are put on sale at a market ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in Karachi, Pakistan, 18 July 2020. Eid al-Adha – also known as the 'Festival of the Sacrifice' – is the second and holiest of the two main Islamic holidays celebrated each year (the other one being Eid al-Fitr). It is a commemoration of the biblical story of Ibrahim (Abraham) being so obedient to God that he even showed the willingness to sacrifice his own son, 'Ishaq (Isaac). Every year, on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslims around the world ritually slaughter a sacrificial animal and split the meat into three parts: one is reserved for the family, another for friends and relatives, and the third is given to the poor and needy. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER

Eid Al Adha and Hajj: Preparations around the world - in pictures
The tallest clock tower in the world with the world's largest clock face, atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, overshadows Muslim pilgrims as they circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Pilgrims gather at Grand Mosque in Makkah ahead of Hajj - in pictures
Worshippers perform the evening (Isha) prayers at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AFP

What is the Hajj pilgrimage? A guide to the rituals and dates
A family dressed for the Hajj pilgramage. Courtesy Accor Hotels 

Watch: How to prepare for Hajj

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on Arafat Day which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on August 20, 2018. - Arafat is the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon about 14 centuries ago after leading his followers on the pilgrimage. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

How to stay healthy during Hajj

Health workers prepare to perform swab tests during a drive-through coronavirus testing campaign in Diriyah hospital in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Saudi Arabia to compensate families of medical workers killed by coronavirus

A Muslim pilgrim praying on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Makkah during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP

Hajj 2020: masked pilgrims feel 'blessed' as they mark Arafat Day

Muslim pilgrims enter Namira Mosque in Arafat as they keep social distance to protect themselves against coronavirus during the annual hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP

Hajj 2020: Arafat Day sermon released in English

New health protocols have been put in place to protest pilgrims from Covid-19 during the Hajj this year.

Coronavirus: how will Hajj pilgrims be protected?
A traveller, wearing a mask due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, walking with his luggage as part of the first group of arrivals for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, at the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport. AFP

Residents of ‘quiet’ Makkah prepare for a scaled-down Hajj
Members of a medical team from Saudi Health ministry waiting for the first group of arrivals for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

Hajj pilgrims arrive in Makkah amid strict health precautions
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 July 22, 2020. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Everything you need to know about Hajj
Saudi Arabia is taking steps to ensure Hajj pilgrims maintain physical distancing.

Saudi Arabia: pilgrims begin quarantine before reduced Hajj
Workers disinfect the ground around the Kaaba in Makkah, March 7, 2020. AP

Hajj breaches incur a Dh10,000 fine, Saudi Arabia announces
Dr Dina Qutb has been at the frontline of the Saudi medical response to Covid-19. Courtesy Dr Dina Qutb

Saudi health workers overjoyed at Hajj opportunity
Saudi Arabia announced it would host a 'very limited' Hajj pilgrimage this year owing to the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Hajj selection prioritises non-citizens and health workers
A few worshippers performing the fajr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.. AFP 

Saudi Arabia announces Hajj measures for domestic pilgrims
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