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Hajj Concludes Sunday, Pilgrims to Self-Isolate

Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Hajj Concludes Sunday, Pilgrims to Self-Isolate

Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Hajj pilgrimage will end on Sunday with worhsippers performing the final “farewell” tawaf, or circumambulation of the holy Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah city.

The pilgrims will conclude their holy journey with home isolation as part of the ongoing precautions against the novel coronavirus.

The pilgrims will kick off the final day of the Hajj at dawn on Sunday with the ritual stoning of the devil, by collecting small, medium and large stones, said Saudi deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul Fattah al-Mashat.

They will then head to Mina and at 4:00 pm, they will depart to the Grand Mosque for the final tawaf.

They will be tested for the coronavirus soon after concluding the rituals ahead of their departure from Makkah, he added.

The first day of the stoning of the devil began on Saturday amid heavy security and health measures. Authorities ensured that social distancing measures were adopted and the pilgrims were presented with a souvenir gift from the Hajj and Umrah Ministry on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The disinfection of the Grand Mosque continued on Saturday. The holy mosque has been disinfected at a rate of ten times per day.

The Saudi Health Ministry said there have been no cases of the COVID-19 illness among this year's pilgrims. Government precautions included testing pilgrims for the virus, monitoring their movement with electronic wristbands and requiring them to quarantine before and after.

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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.