Saudi Arabia Says Hajj Pilgrimage to Start July 29

A small group of worshippers pray at Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram while practicing social distancing, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia May 4, 2020. (SPA)
A small group of worshippers pray at Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram while practicing social distancing, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia May 4, 2020. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says Hajj Pilgrimage to Start July 29

A small group of worshippers pray at Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram while practicing social distancing, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia May 4, 2020. (SPA)
A small group of worshippers pray at Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram while practicing social distancing, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia May 4, 2020. (SPA)

This year's Hajj, which has been scaled back dramatically to include only around 1,000 pilgrims due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, will begin on July 29, authorities said Monday.

Some 2.5 million people from all over the world usually participate in the ritual that takes place over several days, centered on the holy city of Makkah.

This year's Hajj will be held under strict hygiene protocols, with access limited to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses. Makkah will be cordoned off by security and only people with relevant permits will be allowed entry.

"The stand of pilgrims on Mount Arafat, the peak of the Hajj ritual, falls on Thursday," the official Saudi Press Agency cited the Supreme Court as saying, indicating that Wednesday would be the first day of the annual event.

Chief of police operations in the Makkah region, Eid al-Otaibi said that 32 checkpoints have been set up on the outskirts of Makkah and the holy sites as part of the Hajj security plan. Patrols will also be deployed to crack down on violators and enforces the health precautions.

Last month, Saudi Arabia announced it would hold a "very limited" Hajj. Officials said the pilgrimage would be restricted to 1,000 people already present in the Kingdom, 70 percent of them foreigners and the rest Saudis.

The ritual will be restricted to medical professionals and security personnel who have recovered from the virus, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry said.

The pilgrims will be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Makkah and are required to quarantine at home after the ritual, according to health officials.



Saudi Interior Minister Meets Group of Ministry's Employees Studying in the UK 

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with a group of Ministry of Interior employees studying in the UK in London on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with a group of Ministry of Interior employees studying in the UK in London on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Meets Group of Ministry's Employees Studying in the UK 

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with a group of Ministry of Interior employees studying in the UK in London on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with a group of Ministry of Interior employees studying in the UK in London on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met in London on Tuesday with a group of Ministry of Interior employees studying in the UK.

During the meeting, the minister stressed the wise leadership's commitment to supporting students studying abroad and providing them with all the necessary resources to create a distinguished educational environment.

Investing in human capital is one of the most essential pillars of Saudi Vision 2030, he added.

The minister expressed his pride in the academic and professional successes achieved by students studying abroad, emphasizing that they must represent Saudi Arabia well and invest their time spent abroad in continuing to excel and acquire knowledge.

They will then return to the Kingdom equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to building their country and participating in its ambitious development journey, he remarked.

Assistant Interior Minister Dr. Hisham Al-Falih, along with several senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, attended the meeting.