Saudi Arabia halts travel to Islam's holiest site over virus

FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2019, file photo taken with a slow shutter speed, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears of the global outbreak of the new coronavirus just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of the illness.

The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia, whose oil-rich monarchy stakes its legitimacy on protecting Islam’s holy sites. More recently, Saudi Arabia faced the danger from another coronavirus, one that caused the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, which jumped from ill camels to humans. The kingdom increased its public health measures during the hajj in 2012 and 2013, though no outbreaks occurred amid the pilgrimage.

While millions attend the hajj, which is this year set for late July into early August, millions more come during the rest of the year to the holy sites in the kingdom. Those other pilgrimages are referred to as the umrah. One of the biggest times for the umrah is the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is set to begin at the end of April.

The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases of the illness, named COVID-19.

Everyone in here belittling people's beliefs over this are meanspirited. There is a story that goes like this: Flood happens. Dude refuses rescue from a person, a boat, and a helicopter. Dude dies and asks god why didn't he save him. God responds 'i even sent a helicopter!'

I'm laughin at the whole lot of them because this religion w its holiest sites are not confident in their own diety for it to protect 'em. Like their whole sham is being revealed. Pick those snakes up! All religions are cults! Tax them out of existence & ignore their propaganda!

Good for them as Makka has visitors from all over the world.

TrueFactsStated Fantastic! Let’s hope they’ll have it closed forever.

Human vortex of Coronavirus contagion.

Don't do this. Check people at airports and then allow them. Why halting umrah?

I thought Allah was powerful and protected everyone. 🤔

Damn, now they cannot slow earth's rotation. Guess I'll go watch Midnight Express.

ayaelb Normal precautions

GreatDismal This will go well.

ayemojubar Good news, lest those on pilgrimage brings back the virus to affect non Muslims

'Tie you camel but supplicate to your creator. Is this secular enough for Mr Fithna alizaid1000 and Dr. Fasaadha dr_iyaz

Clever move ...to be admired.

This is big

This is an admission that god is not in control?

With Iran's Leader getting the Coronavirus do you not think they would strike the US Forces in Iraq? Either by missiles or sending an infected person onto US Military bases

Right decision

That’s a good decision

Dont Panic! Pete Buttigieg is consulting with scientists at McKinsey and Georgetown university to create a vaccine that allows you to carry the covid-19 virus without getting infected. Pete will return to campaigning as soon as he exits quarantine protocol, everything will be ok!

Allahis gonna be pissed

The big advantage of the Corona is the religious gatherings diminished. vive_la_révolution The religion is the opium of people. K. MARX

A Muslim ban?

So... their prayers won't protect them?

its a new strain of flu.. sars had a higher% of death .. i say its a lab made germ to weed out the old people..

Good decision.

I bet inside that black box is one of the world’s biggest cons humanity has ever seen

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