Saudi official urges Muslims intending to perform the Hajj to delay making plans this year due to coronavirus pandemic – reports
A senior Saudi official urged more than one million Muslims intending to travel to Islam's holiest sites to perform the Hajj to delay making plans this year due to the new coronavirus pandemic, according to reports Wednesday, comments that suggested the pilgrimage could be cancelled.
Restrictions have tightened in the kingdom as it grapples with over 1,500 confirmed cases of the new virus. Saudi Arabia has barred people from entering or exiting three major cities, including Mecca and Medina, and imposed a nighttime curfew across the country. Like other countries around the world and in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has suspended all inbound and outbound commercial flights.“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is prepared to secure the safety of all Muslims and nationals,” Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten told state television.
Each year, up to 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, a pilgrimage that draws the faithful from around the world.
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