Saudi Arabia announced that it will not receive expatriates from this year’s Hajj season due to the pandemic of the Corona virus.
According to Arabiya Net, only a limited number of citizens and residents will be allowed to perform the rites with the activation of social divergence procedures.
The announcement means that this will be the first time in modern history that Muslims from around the world are forbidden from performing the Hajj.
The Ministry of Hajj Affairs said in a statement that the decision was taken in the interest of establishing the ritual safe and healthily in a manner that meets the requirements of prevention and social separation necessary to ensure the safety and protection of the human being from the threats of this pandemic and to achieve For the purposes of Islamic law to protect the human psyche.
The number of people infected with the virus in Saudi Arabia has exceeded 160,000, and 1307 people have died of the disease, following an increase in new cases during the past two weeks.
The pilgrimage is usually performed by 2.5 million people. Official data indicate that the kingdom reaps profits from Hajj and Umrah, amounting to approximately $ 12 billion annually.
Saudi Arabia suspended international passenger flights in March and called on Muslims to suspend their pilgrimage plans this year until further notice. The Saudi authorities have also suspended international flights for performing Umrah until further notice.
Malaysia and Indonesia prevented their residents earlier in June from traveling to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, and they attributed the matter to concerns about the virus.
