Saudi Arabia to Restrict Regular Pilgrimage to Mecca Considering COVID-19

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Saudi Arabia has decided to allow the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which usually attracts around 2 million Muslim worshippers, to proceed with only a "very limited number" of participants in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to the AP News and other sources on the 23rd (local time), the Saudi government announced in a statement that, considering the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment and the risks associated with holding large gatherings, it would drastically limit the number of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia has not canceled this event for nearly 90 years.

The Hajj, the largest Islamic religious event, is one of the biggest gatherings on Earth, attracting millions of people worldwide every year. According to the Islamic calendar, it is scheduled to take place around July 28 this year. During the event, pilgrims often stand close together or shoulder to shoulder while praying. In 2015, more than 2,400 people died due to a stampede caused by the crowd. The Saudi government earns approximately 6 billion USD annually from this event.

The Saudi government stated that it would allow only residents of various nationalities living within the country to participate in the pilgrimage but did not specify the exact number. Typically, international pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia weeks to months in advance to await the pilgrimage. According to AP, this decision was made after weeks of careful consideration over whether to cancel the pilgrimage entirely or allow only a symbolic number of participants.

Saudi Arabia is one of the countries in the Middle East with the highest COVID-19 infection rates, having surpassed 161,000 confirmed cases and recorded 1,307 deaths. In April, Saudi Arabia requested millions of pilgrims worldwide to postpone their pilgrimage plans due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

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