A symposium in Saudi Arabia on Monday tackled the significance of the Kingdom limiting this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage to some 1,000 people due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Benten inaugurated the 45th Virtual Annual Grand Hajj Symposium, held under the title “Public Health Rules and their Scientific Applications in Light of the Prophet's Guidelines and Practice”.
For the first time in 45 years, the event was held virtually due to the pandemic. It was attended by a number of ministers, scholars, doctors and consultants.
"From the era of late King Abdulaziz Al Saud until the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always played a pioneering role in spreading Islam and serving Muslims," Benten said.
He added that despite the pandemic, Saudi Arabia was keen on allowing pilgrims to perform the Hajj rituals in safe, health and security conditions.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh pointed out that successive Saudi kings had taken it upon themselves to preserve the security, health and safety of pilgrims.
The Kingdom, since the era of late founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud until the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was and still is seeing to the safety of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.
He stressed that the exceptional and careful organization of this year’s Hajj preserves the pilgrims' health and safety. He highlighted the efforts exerted by the government, relevant ministries and agencies in organizing the holy pilgrimage.
President General of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais said that Islam promotes firm rules on protecting and preserving people’s health.
He stressed the importance of following preventive and precautionary measures imposed by the authorities for the safety of pilgrims and visitors of the sacred places.
Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi stated that this year’s Hajj will be held in extraordinary circumstances due to the pandemic.
Saudi Arabia is keen on holding the pilgrimage even with a very limited number of pilgrims in order to ensure that the holy ritual is held seeing as it is a pillar of Islam. He stressed that the authorities are keen on holding the Hajj in a safe and health manner to safeguard the pilgrims.
Only pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and residents of the Kingdom will be allowed to perform the Hajj. Health measures have been imposed every step of the way since their arrival in the holy city of Makkah and until their departure at the end of their holy journey.
