More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. Watch in for more details!

Haj Pilgrimage: Intense heat claims lives of Haj pilgrimage, over 1,300 die

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.&nbsp; 
 
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions.

The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. 
 
Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry. Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions. The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia cancels Hajj pilgrimage again due to coronavirus concerns

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the 2020 haj season, the state news agency said. As per the health protocols, the kingdom has banned gatherings and meetings between pilgrims during haj.

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the 2020 haj season, the state news agency said. As per the health protocols, the kingdom has banned gatherings and meetings between pilgrims during haj. After barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times, Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the virus. Touching the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, will be banned during the haj this year, and a social distancing space of a meter and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed, a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) elaborated. Also, access to holy haj sites at Mona, Muzdalifah and Arafat will be limited to those with haj permits starting Sunday, July 19 till Aug. 2 2020, and wearing masks all the time will be mandatory for both pilgrims and organizers.

Saudi Arabia announces haj health protocols for domestic pilgrims

Indonesia has cancelled the haj pilgrimage this year for people in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation due to concerns over the coronavirus, the religious affairs minister said on Tuesday.

Each year hundreds of thousands of Indonesians go on the haj to Saudi Arabia, where Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located.

For many Indonesians, the religious pilgrimage is a once-in-a lifetime event, with the average wait time 20 years due to a quota system, according to the country's cabinet secretariat.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-rejects-chinas-claims-in-the-south-china-sea-says-not-bound-by-claims-contravening-international-law-301513">Indonesia rejects China's claims in the South China Sea; says not bound by claims contravening international law</a>

Saudi authorities have already said the haj and umrah pilgrimages which attract millions of travellers from around the world, will remain suspended until further notice.

Fachrul Razi, Indonesia's religious affairs minister, said the decision to cancel hajj this year was made due to concerns over the coronavirus and ongoing travel restrictions.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-investigates-leak-of-more-than-two-million-voters-personal-information-300545">Indonesia investigates leak of more than two million voters' personal information</a>

The quota for Indonesian pilgrims this year was 221,000, with more than 90 percent already registered to go, according to the religious affairs ministry website.

Dewi, an employee of a telecommunications company in Jakarta and registered to perform the pilgrimage this year, told Reuters that while she had waited six years, she had made peace with the news.

"If that is the decision, I will accept it," said Dewi, who did not want to give her full name. "After all I believe that everything happens with God's permission."

Indonesia has cancelled the haj pilgrimage this year for people in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation due to concerns over the coronavirus, the religious affairs minister said on Tuesday.

Indonesia has cancelled the haj pilgrimage this year for people in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation due to concerns over the coronavirus, the religious affairs minister said on Tuesday. Each year hundreds of thousands of Indonesians go on the haj to Saudi Arabia, where Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located. For many Indonesians, the religious pilgrimage is a once-in-a lifetime event, with the average wait time 20 years due to a quota system, according to the country's cabinet secretariat. Also read: Indonesia rejects China's claims in the South China Sea; says not bound by claims contravening international law Saudi authorities have already said the haj and umrah pilgrimages which attract millions of travellers from around the world, will remain suspended until further notice. Fachrul Razi, Indonesia's religious affairs minister, said the decision to cancel hajj this year was made due to concerns over the coronavirus and ongoing travel restrictions. Also read: Indonesia investigates leak of more than two million voters' personal information The quota for Indonesian pilgrims this year was 221,000, with more than 90 percent already registered to go, according to the religious affairs ministry website. Dewi, an employee of a telecommunications company in Jakarta and registered to perform the pilgrimage this year, told Reuters that while she had waited six years, she had made peace with the news. "If that is the decision, I will accept it," said Dewi, who did not want to give her full name. "After all I believe that everything happens with God's permission."

Indonesia cancels haj pilgrimage over coronavirus concerns

In a significant step, Saudi Arabia has increased India's Haj quota from 170,000 to 200,000, paving the way for 30,000 more Indians to go for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in the kingdom.

The issue of India's Haj quota was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman.

Modi, who is in Japan for the G20 Summit, discussed the deepening cooperation in trade and investment, energy security and counter-terrorism with the "invaluable strategic partner".

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the Crown Prince had promised Prime Minister Modi that India's Haj quota would be raised from 170,000 to 200,000 annually.

"This is important and this has been done," he said.

Two lakh Indians will have the opportunity to go for Haj which will begin very shortly, Gokhale said.

The two leaders also spoke about the need for greater tourism, more flights and agreed to meet again, he said.

The Saudi Crown Prince has also invited the Prime Minister to be one of the main guests at an international conference later this year and he has accepted the invitation with pleasure, the Foreign Secretary said.

The government last year allowed women to go on Haj without 'Mehram' or male companion, which saw about 1,300 women going without any male companion. They had been exempted from the lottery system.

Last year, Saudi Arabia increased India's Haj quota by 5,000, while in 2017 it was increased by about 35,000.

The Haj subsidy provided by the government was removed last year in the light of a Supreme Court order of 2012. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In a significant step, Saudi Arabia has increased India's Haj quota from 170,000 to 200,000, paving the way for 30,000 more Indians to go for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in the kingdom.

In a significant step, Saudi Arabia has increased India's Haj quota from 170,000 to 200,000, paving the way for 30,000 more Indians to go for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in the kingdom. The issue of India's Haj quota was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman. Modi, who is in Japan for the G20 Summit, discussed the deepening cooperation in trade and investment, energy security and counter-terrorism with the "invaluable strategic partner". Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the Crown Prince had promised Prime Minister Modi that India's Haj quota would be raised from 170,000 to 200,000 annually. "This is important and this has been done," he said. Two lakh Indians will have the opportunity to go for Haj which will begin very shortly, Gokhale said. The two leaders also spoke about the need for greater tourism, more flights and agreed to meet again, he said. The Saudi Crown Prince has also invited the Prime Minister to be one of the main guests at an international conference later this year and he has accepted the invitation with pleasure, the Foreign Secretary said. The government last year allowed women to go on Haj without 'Mehram' or male companion, which saw about 1,300 women going without any male companion. They had been exempted from the lottery system. Last year, Saudi Arabia increased India's Haj quota by 5,000, while in 2017 it was increased by about 35,000. The Haj subsidy provided by the government was removed last year in the light of a Supreme Court order of 2012.

Saudi Arabia raises India's Haj quota by 30,000

Saudi Arabia has stepped up its efforts to guard Islam&#39;s holiest sites as the annual Haj pilgrimage enters its final stages. 
 
In an effort to avoid a repeat of last year&#39;s devastating stampede, the Saudi authorities have redesigned parts of the Jamarat area and deployed drones to watch over nearly two million pilgrims.&nbsp; 
 
The faithful descended Mount Arafat on Sunday, climbing down the craggy hills outside Mecca at sunset and set out en masse for the open plateau of Muzdalifah. 
 
There they collected pebbles in the dark before retreating for the night into Mina, the narrow city of air-conditioned white tents where last year&#39;s crush occurred. 
 
The Saudi government has spent billions of dollars upgrading the security apparatus, expanding infrastructure and crowd control technology.&nbsp; 
 
Drones are being used to reinforce a network of electronic surveillance of the crowds that would alert authorities to intervene quickly if necessary. 
 
The frequent disasters at the holy site have led to an escalating war of words with Iran.&nbsp; 
 
Iran supreme leader had accused the Saudi authorities of the deaths of over 2,000 pilgrims last year.&nbsp; 
 
Pilgrims of Iran are not attending the pilgrimage this year over safety concerns.&nbsp; 
 
But Saudi government had suggested part of the blame lied with the pilgrims that failed to follow crowd control rules.&nbsp; 
 
An investigation into last year&#39;s disaster is still pending.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Saudi government has spent billions of dollars to upgrade the security and crowd control technology at Mecca

Saudi Arabia has stepped up its efforts to guard Islam's holiest sites as the annual Haj pilgrimage enters its final stages. In an effort to avoid a repeat of last year's devastating stampede, the Saudi authorities have redesigned parts of the Jamarat area and deployed drones to watch over nearly two million pilgrims. The faithful descended Mount Arafat on Sunday, climbing down the craggy hills outside Mecca at sunset and set out en masse for the open plateau of Muzdalifah. There they collected pebbles in the dark before retreating for the night into Mina, the narrow city of air-conditioned white tents where last year's crush occurred. The Saudi government has spent billions of dollars upgrading the security apparatus, expanding infrastructure and crowd control technology. Drones are being used to reinforce a network of electronic surveillance of the crowds that would alert authorities to intervene quickly if necessary. The frequent disasters at the holy site have led to an escalating war of words with Iran. Iran supreme leader had accused the Saudi authorities of the deaths of over 2,000 pilgrims last year. Pilgrims of Iran are not attending the pilgrimage this year over safety concerns. But Saudi government had suggested part of the blame lied with the pilgrims that failed to follow crowd control rules. An investigation into last year's disaster is still pending. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia deploys drones to watch over Haj pilgrims

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