Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on religious pilgrimage, known as Umrah, to historic Islamic shrines in Mecca and Medina over the coronavirus outbreak that has recently spread to the Middle East.
The oil-rich kingdom announced Wednesday that the restrictions were put in place to “provide the utmost protection” to those living in Saudi Arabia as well pilgrims and tourists willing to visit the country.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that the government would suspend "entry to the kingdom for the purpose of Umrah" as well as for visiting The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, the second holiest site in Islam after the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year as opposed to Ḥajj that should be attempted by every Muslim at least once a lifetime within a specific time of the year.
In addition to that, Riyadh suspended entry for anyone that has a valid tourist visa but hails from the countries that have been experiencing the COVID-19 outbreak.
Also on rt.com Iran seals off religious sites as coronavirus death toll rises & Pakistan reports new casesSaudis and citizens of the five other nations that comprise The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – will be barred from using their national ID cards to either leave or arrive into the kingdom, the ministry said, noting that those Saudis citizens who want to return from abroad and GCC nationals who are now in Saudi Arabia but want to fly back to their respective home countries will be exempted from the ban.
It’s unclear when the restrictions would be lifted, with the ministry noting that the move is “temporary” and “is subject to a continuous evaluation by the competent authorities.”
Riyadh’s decision to partially shut its borders for pilgrims and citizens from the coronavirus-stricken countries comes as the virus has been taking hold in Europe and the Middle East. The highest number of coronavirus fatalities outside China have been reported in Iran, where 19 people dead, according to the country’s health ministry and another 139 have been infected.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Source : RT - Daily news
Saudi Arabia restricts pilgrimage to most sacred Muslim sites of Mecca & Medina over coronavirus
Saudi Arabia restricts pilgrimage to most sacred Muslim sites of Mecca & Medina over coronavirus
