Haj begins amidst stringent precautions

Pilgrims began the annual Haj on July 29, which has been downsized this year as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strives to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.

The Haj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, is a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.

But this year only up to 10,000 people already residing in the Kingdom will participate in the ritual, as opposed to the 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world who attended last year. Some 70 per cent of the pilgrims are foreigners residing in the Kingdom, while the rest are Saudi citizens, authorities said. Those selected to take part in the Haj were subjected to temperature checks and placed in quarantine.

Pilgrims have to wear masks and observe social distancing during the religious rites that are to be completed over five days in the holy city of Makkah and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.

Haj authorities have cordoned off the Holy Kaaba this year, and pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it so as to limit chances of infection.

After circumambulation of the Kaaba and performing the Sa’ey, the pilgrims will reach the housing tents in Mina, five kilometres away, in the afternoon in specially designated vehicles in batches of 20 as per COVID protocols. At Mina, they recite prayers and spend the night in the valley where the Prophet Ibrahim stoned the devil who tried to lead him astray.

This year, the day of Arafah falls on July 30. After the Fajr prayer in Mina, pilgrims make the journey to Mount Arafat, a 70-metre hill believed to be where Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) gave his final sermon. Standing and praying on Mount Arafat is considered the peak of the pilgrimage.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has warned fines of 10,000 riyals ($2,666) will be issued to those who trespass onto the haj sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat.