Saudis bring history’s smallest hajj to a close

Muslim pilgrims circled Islam’s holiest site along socially-distanced paths on Sunday in the final ritual of the hajj.

The final ritual at the Kaaba on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Muslim pilgrims circled Islam’s holiest site along socially distanced paths on Sunday in the final ritual of the hajj, the smallest in modern history as Saudi authorities sought to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.

Up to only about 10,000 Muslims took part in the hajj, a far cry from the 2.5 million who took part in the five-day annual pilgrimage last year. The hajj ministry had initially said only around 1000 pilgrims would be allowed.

Masked pilgrims threw pebbles at a wall symbolising Satan in Mina, close to the holy city of Mecca, on the final day of hajj. Instead of gathering the pebbles themselves, they were handed them bagged and sterilised by hajj authorities, to protect against the novel coronavirus.

Pilgrims returned to the Grand Mosque in Mecca later on Sunday to perform a final tawaf, or circling of the Kaaba, which Muslims around the world pray towards.

Holding the ritual in the shadow of the pandemic required “double efforts” by Saudi authorities, King Salman said on Friday after being discharged from hospital following surgery to remove his gall bladder.

Health authorities said no coronavirus cases were reported at the holy sites during the hajj.

The pilgrims, who were required to observe social distancing and subjected to regular temperature checks, will go into mandatory quarantine after the hajj.

The ritual, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The hajj typically costs thousands of dollars for pilgrims, who often save for years as well as endure long waiting lists for a chance to attend. But this year, the Saudi government is covering the expenses of all pilgrims, providing them with meals, hotel accommodation and healthcare.

AFP