Pilgrims have started arriving in the holy city of Mecca for the second downsized Hajj staged during the coronavirus pandemic, performing tawaf-e-ka’aba (Islam’s holiest site) strictly observing the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs including wearing masks and maintaining distance).
No foreign pilgrims will be able to attend this year’s hajj. Saudi Arabia’s leading religious council has decided that protecting the population is the most important goal.
Around 60,000 vaccinated Saudi Arabian residents will be able to attend this year’s hajj pilgrimage in July, organizers announced Saturday, July 17, 2021.
This is the second year in a row the Mecca event has been affected by fears of COVID-19, although Saudi Arabia is now one of the most highly vaccinated Countries in the world.
The Muslim faith requires believers to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives if they are able to. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside Shahadah, Salat, Zakat and Sawm, as well as a demonstration of submission to Allah.
