This year the number of pilgrims has been drastically reduced to 10,000 from last year’s 2.5 million
By
AFP
GeoTV Thursday Jul 30 2020
The five-day annual Hajj pilgrimage began in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday with strict measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
A downsized Hajj, this year the number of pilgrims have been drastically reduced to 10,000 from last year’s 2.5 million.
The kingdom has put strict safety protocols in place with a mandatory quarantine that began on Tuesday.
Saudi authorities initially said only around 1,000 pilgrims residing in the kingdom would be permitted for Hajj however, local media later reported that as many as 10,000 will be allowed to take part.
Some 70% of the pilgrims are foreigners residing in the kingdom, while the rest will be Saudi citizens.
A handout picture obtained from the Saudi ministry of media shows Muslim pilgrims, in protective masks against the spread of the coronavirus, praying on July 29, 2020 in Makkah’s Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia at the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: AFP
A picture taken on July 29, 2020 shows the first group of pilgrims entering the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah at the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: AFP
A picture taken on July 29, 2020 shows the first group of female pilgrims praying in the Grand mosque in the holy city of Makkah at the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: AFP
A handout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba (not seen in picture) at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AFP
A handout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba (not seen in picture) at the centre of the Grand Mosque at the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage on July 29, 2020. Photo: AFP
Saudi labourers put the new Kiswa, the protective cover that engulfs the Kaaba, made from black silk and gold thread and embroidered with Holy Quran verses, on July 29, 2020 in Saudi Arabia´s holy city of Makkah. Photo: AFP
Saudi labourers put the new Kiswa, the protective cover that engulfs the Kaaba, made from black silk and gold thread and embroidered with Holy Quran verses, on July 29, 2020 in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah. Photo: AFP
A hadnout picture obtained from the Saudi ministry of media shows Muslim pilgrims, in protective masks against the spread of the coronavirus, praying on July 29, 2020 in Makkahs Grand Mosque. Photo: AFP
A hand out picture provided by Ministry of Media shows a Muslim pilgrim getting his temperature checked before boarding a bus heading towards Makkah on the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 29, 2020. Photo: AFP
A handout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows a handicapped pilgrim being pushed by a medic on a wheelchair as pilgrims circumambulated around the Kaaba (not seen in picture) at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP
A handout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam´s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AFP
A mask-clad woman stands on a ring delineating where worshippers be around the Kaaba due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic at the almost empty Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia´s holy city of Makkah on July 28, 2020, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: AFP
