(150926) -- MECCA, Sept. 26, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Muslim pilgrims head to attend Hajj rituals in Mina outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 26, 2015. The death toll in Thursday's stampede in Mina, neighboring the holy city Mecca, has risen to 769, Saudi Health Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Saturday. The accident took place amid a rush of the stoning as part of Hajj rituals. Muslim pilgrims throw stones on a wall representing devil. (Xinhua)

Saudi restricts entry to holy sites from Sunday

July 18, 2020

 Starting from Sunday, Saudi authorities will impose a ban on entering holy sites without a permit as the Kingdom is bracing for a limited Haj season in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, a local media report said on Saturday.

Security control centres in the holy city of Mecca will begin as of Sunday morning to stop entry into the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat without a permit, Gulf News quoted the Al Riyadh newspaper as saying in the report.

Violations are punishable by a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals that will be doubled in case of repetition.

The measure is part of strict regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the Haj set to begin later in July, said the newspaper report.

The Kingdom had announced that 70 of this year’s pilgrims will be expat residents while the remaining 30 per cent will be Saudis.

The maximum number of participating pilgrims has been set at 10,000.

The Saudi Ministry of the Hajj and Umrah has said that the health criteria will mainly determine the selection of those permitted to attend this year’s Haj.

More than 2 million Muslims usually perform the Haj every year.

Previous Story

Dozens injured in West Bank clashes

Next Story

Oman’s Al Mudhaibi Sees Surge In Grape Farming

Latest from -Top News

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the

EID MUBARAK!

UAE marks Eid Al Adha with housing support, children’s gifts, pardons, and cultural celebrations, reflecting a national spirit of compassion, unity, and