Indonesia Pulls Out Of Annual Mecca Pilgrimage Over COVID-19 Fears
Health officials observe health protocols at an emergency installation at a hospital in Surabaya, East Java, on May 29, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Juni Kriswanto / AFP.Indonesia is pulling out of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca over coronavirus fears, the religious affairs ministry said Tuesday, removing the largest contingent of worshippers.
The global pandemic has plunged the ritual into doubt, but Riyadh has yet to announce a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the end-of-July celebration. “This was a very bitter and difficult decision,” religious affairs minister Fachrul Razi told a televised press briefing.Last month, Indonesia pressed Riyadh to announce its decision and President Joko Widodo later held a telephone call with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on the matter, Razi said.
The hajj is a key revenue earner for the kingdom but risks becoming a major source of contagion if millions flock to Mecca’s religious sites.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ikpeazu orders state officials to undergo COVID-19 testsAbia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all members of the state executive council and the COVID-19 Inter-ministerial Committee to immediately undergo Covid19 tests and thereafter isolate selves pending the outcome of their tests. Nigeria
Read more »
COVID-19: 100-year-old woman recovers in Indonesia
Read more »
COVID-19: Buhari, PTF Delegation Meet In AbujaCOVID-19: Buhari, PTF Delegation Meet In Abuja
Read more »
Bayelsa Records First COVID-19 DeathICYMI: Bayelsa Records First COVID-19 Death
Read more »
Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Exceed 10,000Nigeria Records 307 New Cases Of COVID-19, Total Infections Hit 10,162
Read more »
Nigeria records 307 new cases, total now 10,162Nigeria recorded 307 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 10,162.
Read more »