Riyadh
Saudi authorities have announced that this year’s Hajj will take place on July 29 with only 1,000 pilgrims as the country battles a surge in coronavirus infections.
Some 2.5 million people from all over the world usually participate in the ritual that takes place over several days, centred on the holy city of Makkah.
This year’s Hajj will be held under strict hygiene protocols, with access limited to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses.
“The stand of pilgrims on Mount Arafat, the peak of the Hajj ritual, falls on Thursday,” the official Saudi Press Agency cited the Supreme Court as saying, indicating that Wednesday would be the first day of the annual event.—AFP
