By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Mecca reopens for limited ‘umrah’ pilgrimage
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Mecca reopens for limited ‘umrah’ pilgrimage

Agency Report with Okay.ng
By Agency Report with Okay.ng
Published: October 4, 2020
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Mask-clad Muslims circled Islam’s holiest site along socially distanced paths on Sunday, as Saudi authorities partially resumed the year-round umrah pilgrimage amid extensive health precautions after seven-month coronavirus hiatus.

Thousands of worshippers entered the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca in batches to perform the ritual of circling the sacred Kaaba, a cubic structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.

The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year but it was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be revived in three phases, with Saudi Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten saying last week that 6,000 pilgrims per day will be allowed in the first stage to perform the umrah “meticulously and within a specified period of time”.

- Advertisement -

A raft of precautions have been adopted to ward off any outbreaks during the umrah, according to state media.

The revered Black Stone in the eastern corner of the Kaaba — which it is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage — will be out of reach, while the Grand Mosque will be sterilised before and after each group of worshippers.

Each group of 20 or 25 pilgrims will be accompanied by a health worker and medical teams will be on the ground in case of an emergency, Benten said.

Under the second stage from October 18, the number of umrah pilgrims will be increased to 15,000 per day, with a maximum of 40,000 people, including pilgrims and other worshippers, allowed to perform prayers at the mosque.

- Advertisement -

Visitors from abroad will be permitted in the third stage from November 1, when capacity will be raised to 20,000 and 60,000, respectively.

The decision to resume the pilgrimage was in response to the “aspirations of Muslims home and abroad” to perform the ritual and visit the holy sites, the interior ministry said last month.

It added that the umrah would be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.

Until then, the health ministry will vet countries from which pilgrims are allowed to enter based on the health risks.

Saudi Arabia suspended the umrah in March and scaled back the annual hajj over fears that the coronavirus could spread to Islam’s holiest cities.

The hajj went ahead in late July, on the smallest scale in modern history, with only up to 10,000 Muslims allowed to take part — a far cry from the 2.5 million who participated last year.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:MeccaUmrah
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article WizKid and Sanwo-Olu #EndSars: WizKid calls on Sanwo-Olu to intervene
Next Article Davido, Don Jazzy, other Nigerian celebrities call on FG to #EndSars

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Okay.ng Logo

Parallel Market Rates

USD
Buy₦1,540.00
Sell₦1,560.00
GBP
Buy₦2,150.00
Sell₦2,180.00
EUR
Buy₦1,760.00
Sell₦1,810.00

Updated: 1 day ago

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Quick Converter

0.00
ShareShareShare

Rates are for informational purposes only.

Okay.ng Logo Parallel Market Rates
USD
Buy
Sell
GBP
Buy
Sell
EUR
Buy
Sell
| okay.ng
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Slip to 44th in FIFA Rankings Despite Point Gain
Sport
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Replaced as Senate Diaspora Committee Chair Amid Ongoing Suspension
News Top stories
IPOB Condemns Governor Soludo’s Allegations Linking Igbo Youths to Kidnapping Surge
News
Monday Okpebholo
Supreme Court Affirms Okpebholo’s Election as Edo Governor
News
Eze Ndigbo Mourns Passing of Olubadan, Highlights Ibadan’s Unique Royal Succession System
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

News

Empowering the Vulnerable: Ogun First Lady Champions Free Medical Surgeries

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
July 10, 2025
News

Lagos Police Enforce Comprehensive Movement Ban to Secure July 12 LG Elections 

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
July 10, 2025
Sport

Ex-Super Eagles Captain Urges Victor Osimhen to Embrace Premier League Challenge Without Delay

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
July 10, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?