Nigerian muslims hoping to perform the Hajj this year in
Saudi Arabia should forget about it.
The Saudi authorities said they would only allow a limited
number of muslims already resident to perform the Hajj, a major pillar in
Islam.
Their doors are shut against Nigerians and other
nationalities.
In a statement on Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and
Umrah said the pilgrimage will take place “this year with a very limited number
of those who want to perform the Hajj from all nationalities residing in Saudi
Arabia only,’’
The decision aims at ensuring preventive measures and social
distancing protocols are observed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
It is also “in accordance with the teachings of Islam in
preserving the lives of human beings,’’ the ministry added.
More than two million people perform the annual pilgrimage
in the holy city of Mecca every year, including many travelling from abroad.
One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a mandatory
duty for all Muslims to make at least once in their lifetime if they have the
financial and physical means to do so.
It usually takes place over five days, from the eighth to
the 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Since late February, the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam,
has suspended the Umrah (minor pilgrimage) to Mecca due to the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Gulf monarchy has the Arab world’s largest number of
coronavirus infections with more than 160,000 cases, including 1,307 deaths.
On Sunday, authorities lifted a nationwide curfew that was
imposed to contain the spread of the virus, allowing gatherings up to 50
people.
However, international flights to and from Saudi Arabia
remain suspended.
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