Saudi tells Muslims to wait on hajj plans amid COVID-19 spread
Saudi Arabia’s minister of hajj and umrah said the world must be “patient in concluding hajj contracts” for this year until the COVID-19 situation becomes clearer, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday (Mar 31) citing the minister’s interview on state TV on the same day.
The minister, Dr. Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten, was quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia is concerned with the safety of all pilgrims and visitors.
Saudi Arabia halted all foreign umrah pilgrims since Feb 27 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and later also extended the suspension of umrah to local pilgrims.
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