Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia bars international pilgrims for Hajj
Saudi Arabia has banned international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage, or Hajj, this year in a bid to control coronavirus.
Only a very limited number of people currently living in the kingdom may take part, an announcement on state media says.
An estimated two million people would otherwise have visited Mecca and Medina this summer for the annual gathering.
There had been fears the Hajj might be cancelled altogether.
In normal times the pilgrimage is one of the most significant moments in the Muslim religious calendar. But only citizens from countries around the world who are already resident in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to attend this year.
The authorities say this is the only way they will be able to make plans for social distancing that will keep people safe.
Saudi Arabia has recorded 161,005 cases of infection and 1,307 deaths.
It only lifted a nationwide lockdown at the weekend.
What is the Hajj?
Making the pilgrimage at least once is one of the Five Pillars of Islam - the five obligations that every Muslim, who is in good health and can afford it, must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life, according to Islam.
Pilgrims gather in Mecca to stand before the structure known as the Kaaba, praising Allah (God) together.
They perform other acts of worship too, renewing their sense of purpose in the world.
Source: BBC
Trending News
Former MASLOC CEO’ll be extradited to serve 10-year sentence – Dep AG
06:19You attack us again, we respond with 'appropriate force' - GAF warns Tema civilians
07:38Man allegedly shoots wife in Adaklu
15:01Alan launches Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC) today
06:02Ghana deepens ties with Serbia as Minister for Foreign Affairs visits country
07:31‘I can only thank you for your dumsor patience’ – Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians
14:50Ameri name tainted with NDC’s corruption-NPP
17:04Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project set to address voltage, power quality issues in Kumasi, northern Ghana
17:14Digitalisation has cut demand for sex from women for public services – Bawumia
11:17Ashanti NDC condemns renaming of Ameri Power Plant
16:55