Saudi Arabia Suspends Domestic Pilgrimage Amid COVID-19 Spread Concerns

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Saudi Arabia, the dominant power in the Middle East, has decided to suspend pilgrimage not only for Muslim believers from neighboring countries but also for its own citizens. This measure was taken due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which rapidly expanded among pilgrims in Iran and after two confirmed cases occurred within Saudi Arabia. This is the first time Saudi Arabia has blocked its own citizens from performing pilgrimage.

According to foreign media including Bloomberg News, the Saudi government announced on the 4th (local time) a ban on pilgrimage itself ahead of Ramadan on the 23rd of next month to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is common for believers to undertake irregular pilgrimages throughout the year before Ramadan, the Islamic fasting period, but this year it has become virtually impossible. Earlier, on the 27th of last month, the Saudi government had already suspended visa issuance for believers from other Middle Eastern countries.

Saudi Arabia’s decision was heavily influenced by the severe situation in Iran. COVID-19 began to spread rapidly centered around the religious city of Qom in Iran. Qom attracts numerous pilgrims from across the Middle East, increasing the probability of the epidemic spreading throughout the region. Confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported across the Middle East including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt. Syria and Yemen, which are in civil war, are not included due to the impossibility of accurate counts, but it is presumed the virus has spread widely there as well.

Since the first two confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Qom on the 19th of last month, the cumulative confirmed cases in Iran surged to 2,922 and cumulative deaths to 92 as of the day before yesterday. It is believed the virus spread rapidly because pilgrims frequently touch or kiss important relics at the holy sites. The Iranian government has canceled Friday prayers at all mosques nationwide.

Attention is now focused on the 'Hajj' pilgrimage, the largest Islamic pilgrimage period. The Hajj pilgrimage begins on July 28, and the Saudi government has not yet decided whether to suspend it. However, if the COVID-19 situation continues into the summer, it is expected that suspension will be actively considered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.