RIYADH: Saudi Arabia wants Muslims to wait until there is more clarity about the coronavirus pandemic before planning to attend the annual Haj pilgrimage, the minister for Haj and Umrah said yesterday.
Some 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world usually flock to Mecca and Medina for the week-long ritual.
The largest annual gathering of Muslims is scheduled to begin in late July, but the coronavirus outbreak has raised questions about whether it can or should go ahead given the risk of spreading the disease further in large gatherings.
Saudi has already suspended the Umrah pilgrimage until further notice, halted all international passenger flights indefinitely and last week blocked entry and exit to several cities, including Mecca and Medina.