With pandemic in mind, pared-back hajj in Mecca for 2nd year
3 years, 5 months ago

With pandemic in mind, pared-back hajj in Mecca for 2nd year

India TV News  

Tens of thousands of vaccinated Muslim pilgrims circled Islam’s holiest site in Mecca on Sunday, but remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus takes its toll on the hajj for a second year running. This year, 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia have been allowed to perform the hajj due to continued concerns around the spread of the coronavirus. The kingdom’s Al Saud rulers have staked their legitimacy in large part on their custodianship of hajj sites, giving them a unique and powerful platform among Muslims around the world. “We ask God to accept everyone’s hajj and for the area to be open to greater numbers of pilgrims and for a return to an even better situation than before.” Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the kingdom was working to vastly expand Mecca’s ability to host pilgrims with a $60-billion Grand Mosque expansion.

Islam Hajj Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Mecca Pilgrims Kingdom Kaaba Million Muslims  coronavirus  arabia  mind  paredback  hajj  2nd  pandemic  pilgrims  million  muslims  kingdom  world  mecca  saudi

History of this topic

More than 1,300 people died during Hajj, many of them after walking in the scorching heat
6 months ago

More than 1,300 people died during Hajj, many of them after walking in the scorching heat

Associated Press  

CAIRO — More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, Saudi authorities announced Sunday. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform …

Climate change has made the Hajj pilgrimage more risky
6 months ago

Climate change has made the Hajj pilgrimage more risky

The Hindu  

Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world embark on the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The 2024 haj pilgrimage has been overshadowed by disaster/tragedy, with the death of at least 900 pilgrims, mostly due to heat exhaustion and related complications. High temperatures make mass gatherings riskier A study documenting deaths and injuries at mass gatherings up …

Hundreds died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia amid intense heat, officials say
6 months ago

Hundreds died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia amid intense heat, officials say

Associated Press  

MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Hundreds of people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced intense high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, officials said Wednesday as people tried to claim their loved ones’ bodies. Khalid Bashir Bazaz, an Indian pilgrim, speaking near the Grand Mosque on Wednesday, said he “saw a …

Muslims start the Hajj against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war
6 months, 1 week ago

Muslims start the Hajj against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war

Associated Press  

MINA, Saudi Arabia — In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in the Saudi city of Mecca converged on a vast desert tent camp Friday, officially starting the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Muslim pilgrims arrive at the Mina tent camp during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 14, 2024. Pilgrims leave after offering prayers outside …

Millions start Hajj in shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza
6 months, 1 week ago

Millions start Hajj in shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza

Al Jazeera  

Rituals expected to draw more than two million pilgrims this year, praying for peace in Gaza, Yemen and Sudan. More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca for the start of Hajj, taking place this year against the harrowing backdrop of Israel’s continued onslaught on the Gaza Strip. The annual pilgrimage began on Friday with crowds …

Over 1.5 Million Foreign Muslims Reach Saudi Arabia’s Mecca For Annual Hajj
6 months, 1 week ago

Over 1.5 Million Foreign Muslims Reach Saudi Arabia’s Mecca For Annual Hajj

News 18  

Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj later this week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale. Saudi officials say more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country by Tuesday, the vast majority by air, from across the world. Saudi officials have said …

Hajj 2024: More than 1.5 million foreign Muslims arrive in Mecca
6 months, 1 week ago

Hajj 2024: More than 1.5 million foreign Muslims arrive in Mecca

Associated Press  

MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj later this week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale. Muslim pilgrims arrive to offer prayers at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Muslim pilgrims …

What’s the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage, and why is it significant for Muslims?
6 months, 2 weeks ago

What’s the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage, and why is it significant for Muslims?

Associated Press  

Once a year, Muslim pilgrims flowing into Saudi Arabia unite in a series of religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. Communally, Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time …

This year’s Hajj was held in sweltering heat, and for those serving pilgrims there was little relief
1 year, 5 months ago

This year’s Hajj was held in sweltering heat, and for those serving pilgrims there was little relief

Associated Press  

MINA, Saudi Arabia — As hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims walked in the footsteps of the prophets beneath a sweltering sun, contracted cleaners in lime-green jumpsuits held out matching plastic bags to collect their empty water bottles. It takes tens of thousands of cleaners, security personnel, medics and others to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage possible for 1.8 million …

Muslims at Hajj brave intense heat to cast stones at pillars representing the devil
1 year, 5 months ago

Muslims at Hajj brave intense heat to cast stones at pillars representing the devil

Associated Press  

MINA, Saudi Arabia — Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday braved intense heat to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. With morning temperatures rising past 42 degrees Celsius, huge crowds of pilgrims walked or took buses to the vast Jamarat complex just outside the holy city of Mecca, where large …

Hajj returns to maximum capacity after coronavirus pandemic
1 year, 5 months ago

Hajj returns to maximum capacity after coronavirus pandemic

Al Jazeera  

Muslim pilgrims in Mecca circled the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, and then converged on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage, returning to its maximum capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. So far, more than 1.8 million pilgrims from all over the world have already amassed in and around Mecca …

‘Largest Hajj pilgrimage in history’ begins in Saudi Arabia
1 year, 5 months ago

‘Largest Hajj pilgrimage in history’ begins in Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera  

The number of pilgrims this year is expected to break records at more than 2.5 million. The pilgrimage of Hajj has begun as crowds of Muslims donning white robes circle the Kaaba, the cubed structure at the epicentre of Islam’s holiest site, their prayers ringing through the air. The annual pilgrimage began on Sunday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the …

Inflation and economic crises strain pilgrims in this year’s Hajj, putting it out of reach for some
1 year, 6 months ago

Inflation and economic crises strain pilgrims in this year’s Hajj, putting it out of reach for some

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Saudi Arabia is hosting its biggest Hajj pilgrimage in three years, starting Monday. With people balking at the costs, a few countries struggled to fill their quota of pilgrims this year, a startling sign when demand usually outstrips the supply of pilgrimage spots many times over. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia barred foreign pilgrims in 2020 …

Global economic crises put this year’s Hajj out of reach for some pilgrims
1 year, 6 months ago

Global economic crises put this year’s Hajj out of reach for some pilgrims

LA Times  

A pilgrim buys a money belt at a Hajj training center in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday. But for many pilgrims and others who couldn’t make it, global inflation and economic crises made it more of a strain to carry out Islam’s spiritual trip of a lifetime. But for many pilgrims, and for many others who couldn’t make it, global inflation …

Ambitious Saudi plans to ramp up Hajj could face challenges from climate change
1 year, 6 months ago

Ambitious Saudi plans to ramp up Hajj could face challenges from climate change

Associated Press  

MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s wide-ranging plan to overhaul the kingdom’s economy, known as Vision 2030, 30 million pilgrims would take part in the Hajj and Umrah — a smaller, year-round pilgrimage. A 2019 study by experts at the Massachusetts Institute …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia removes restrictions for Hajj pilgrims - Here’s what has changed
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia removes restrictions for Hajj pilgrims - Here’s what has changed

Live Mint  

Saudi Arabia has announced a host of changes for Hajj pilgrims that is likely to increase the visitors' tally significantly. “Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions,” the Ministry's official Twitter handle quoted him as saying during the opening of Hajj Expo 2023. Details available on India's official …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers

India Today  

Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia permitted to take part. Saudi …

Hajj 2022: One Million Pilgrims Visit Mecca After 2 Years Of Covid-19 Pandemic
2 years, 5 months ago

Hajj 2022: One Million Pilgrims Visit Mecca After 2 Years Of Covid-19 Pandemic

ABP News  

New Delhi: A million pilgrims from around the world gathered in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the hajj on Thursday, marking it the largest since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to AFP. However, it is lesser than the number of pilgrims seen in 2019, when about 2.5 million people took part in …

Hajj 2022: 47,114 Indian Pilgrims Reach Saudi Arabia, 44,624 in Mecca, 2,486 in Madina
2 years, 5 months ago

Hajj 2022: 47,114 Indian Pilgrims Reach Saudi Arabia, 44,624 in Mecca, 2,486 in Madina

News 18  

Through 168 special flights, a total of 47,114 Indian pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia for Hajj, 44,624 are in Mecca and 2,486 have arrived in Madina, Javeed Kalangade, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Central Hajj Committee of India, told News18. A statement issued by the Hajj Ministry of Saudi Arabia claimed that 2,66,000 Hajj pilgrims had reached Mecca and …

Saudi Arabia to allow one million hajj pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, this year
2 years, 8 months ago

Saudi Arabia to allow one million hajj pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, this year

Firstpost  

Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel. Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down …

Covid-19 pandemic transforms hajj in Mecca and future of the pilgrimage
3 years, 5 months ago

Covid-19 pandemic transforms hajj in Mecca and future of the pilgrimage

Live Mint  

Tens of thousands of vaccinated Muslim pilgrims circled Islam's holiest site in Mecca on Sunday, but remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus takes its toll on the hajj for a second year running. The pared down hajj of this year and last due to the COVID-19 outbreak not only impacts the ability of people outside Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every …

Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from hajj due to COVID, allows only 60,000 pilgrims from kingdom
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from hajj due to COVID, allows only 60,000 pilgrims from kingdom

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia said this year’s hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will also be limited to those ages 18 to 65, and vaccination is compulsory Dubai: Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the …

Indonesia cancels Islamic hajj pilgrimage to Mecca for second year over COVID-19 concerns
3 years, 6 months ago

Indonesia cancels Islamic hajj pilgrimage to Mecca for second year over COVID-19 concerns

ABC  

Dalam Bahasa Indonesia Citra Remi has been waiting for more than seven years to pursue her dream of performing hajj. Key points: Indonesia says the cancellation is "for the safety of the pilgrims" Indonesians are usually the largest group to travel to Saudi Arabia for hajj, which pre-pandemic attracted more than 2 million people Some Indonesians wait up to 20 …

Viral Photo Shows Hajj Pilgrims Social Distancing as They Circle around Kaaba in Mecca
4 years, 4 months ago

Viral Photo Shows Hajj Pilgrims Social Distancing as They Circle around Kaaba in Mecca

News 18  

The novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year and only the people within Saudi Arabia have been allowed to perform the annual pilgrimage. According to a report published in Al Jazeera, around two and a half million people annually visit Mecca and Medina. In a photo that is going viral on the internet, pilgrims can be …

Scaled-down Hajj begins with social distancing measures; pilgrims tested for COVID-19, given special attire
4 years, 4 months ago

Scaled-down Hajj begins with social distancing measures; pilgrims tested for COVID-19, given special attire

Firstpost  

The 1,000 pilgrims selected for Hajj this year were seen standing apart and moving in small groups of 20 Dubai: Muslim pilgrims, donning face masks and moving in small groups after days in isolation, began arriving at Islam’s holiest site in Mecca on Wednesday for the start of a historically unique and scaled-down hajj experience reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. …

Scaled down hajj begins with just 1,000 pilgrims – instead of 2.5 million
4 years, 4 months ago

Scaled down hajj begins with just 1,000 pilgrims – instead of 2.5 million

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Muslim pilgrims wearing face masks …

Very different, symbolic hajj in Saudi Arabia amid virus
4 years, 4 months ago

Very different, symbolic hajj in Saudi Arabia amid virus

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Muslim pilgrims, donning face masks and moving in small groups after days in isolation, began arriving at Islam’s holiest site in Mecca on Wednesday for the start of a historically unique and scaled-down hajj experience reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. “They have taken every possible precaution.” For the first time in Saudi history, the government …

Annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage scaled back due to COVID-19 concerns
4 years, 4 months ago

Annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage scaled back due to COVID-19 concerns

ABC  

Key points: Only 1,000 to 10,000 were allowed to take part in this year's pilgrimage Rather than praying shoulder-to-shoulder pilgrims were standing apart They moved in small groups of 20 to limit exposure and potential transmission Pilgrims wearing face masks and moving in small groups after days in isolation have began arriving at Islam's holiest site in Mecca for the …

Muslims begin downsized Hajj pilgrimage amid coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Muslims begin downsized Hajj pilgrimage amid coronavirus pandemic

Al Jazeera  

Up to 10,000 mask-clad Muslims begin the scaled back five-day pilgrimage as Saudi hosts try to prevent virus outbreak. But this year, only up to 10,000 people already residing in Saudi Arabia will participate in the five-day pilgrimage, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world that attended last year. “There are no security-related concerns in …

COVID-19: In a First, Grand Hajj Symposium Held Virtually
4 years, 4 months ago

COVID-19: In a First, Grand Hajj Symposium Held Virtually

The Quint  

According to information shared by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media, the pilgrimage this year is limited to citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia, who meet preset conditions and have been subjected to quarantine procedures. The number of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj has been dramatically reduced to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to. Dr. Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, …

Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid pandemic

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj, as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom’s oversight of one of Islam’s key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic. The hajj, which begins on Wednesday, normally draws around 2.5 million people for five intense days of worship …

Saudi Arabia Gears Up for Downsized Hajj as Covid-19 Pandemic Bars Millions from Attending Pilgrimage
4 years, 4 months ago

Saudi Arabia Gears Up for Downsized Hajj as Covid-19 Pandemic Bars Millions from Attending Pilgrimage

News 18  

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday begins hosting the annual hajj pilgrimage, dramatically downscaled due to the coronavirus pandemic that has barred millions of international pilgrims for the first time in modern history. The foreign press are barred from this year's hajj, usually a huge global media event, as the government tightens access to the holy city of Mecca and puts in …

Saudi Arabia announces Haj restrictions
4 years, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia announces Haj restrictions

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced a series of measures to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus during the annual Haj pilgrimage scheduled to take place later this month. Monday's development came as Saudi Arabia reported a total of 209,509 COVID-19 cases, while the death toll stands at 1,916. Last month, Saudi Arabia had announced that due to the …

Mandatory masks and social distancing: Saudi Arabia's hajj health measures for domestic pilgrims
4 years, 5 months ago

Mandatory masks and social distancing: Saudi Arabia's hajj health measures for domestic pilgrims

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia in June decided to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the hajj to 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus Cairo: Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the 2020 hajj season, banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims, the State news agency said on Monday. It was last month that …

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