Saudi Arabia has banned international visitors from making the
Islamic pilgrimage, or Hajj this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Authorities announced in a statement that the pilgrimage, which is
set to begin at the end of July, will be “very limited” in size and
restricted to Saudi residents only.
“This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner
from a public health perspective while observing all preventative
measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human
beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance
with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings,”
the statement said.
Several countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Senegal, and
Singapore have already withdrawn from the pilgrimage due to the ongoing
Pandemic.
The hajj is one of Islam’s most important religious activities as
well as a major source of revenue for Saudi Arabia. The annual
pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca always attract more than two
million people every year, with nearly 2.5 million attendance in 2019.
