Malaysia, Indonesia withdraw from Hajj this year due to Coronavirus fears

Owing to the pandemic, Malaysia has decided to withdraw from this year’s Hajj, a ritual for which Muslims all over the world travel to Makkah. Malaysia’s Religious Affairs Minister stated it was not safe for the 31,600 pilgrims from Malaysia due to go this year to take part. Last week Indonesia also pulled out 200,000 of its pilgrims from the annual pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia has seen over 112,000 infections and 819 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. It has already suspended the year-round “umrah” pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest cities, Makkah and Madina.

Source: Dawn