Saudi Arabia gears up for downsized Haj

Saudi Arabia is hosting from Wednesday a downsized Haj for the first time in modern history due to the coronavirus pandemic. MECCA: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday begins hosting the annual Haj pilgrimage, dramatically down-scaled due to the coronavirus pandemic that has barred millions of international pilgrims for the first time in modern history.

Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 260,000 cases of the coronavirus, while the number of declared global infections exceeded 16 million on Sunday. Pilgrims are required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Mecca and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage. Among the chosen few is Nasser, a Riyadh-based Nigerian expatriate, euphoric at winning what he called the"golden ticket" to Haj.The ministry has said the Saudi pilgrims were selected from a pool of health practitioners and military personnel who have recovered from COVID-19.

Despite the pandemic, many pilgrims consider it safer to participate in this year's ritual without the usual colossal crowds cramming into tiny religious sites, which make it a logistical nightmare and a health hazard."SUBSTANTIAL COST"

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