RIYADH: Saudi Arabian Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten that although the country is ready to serve the Hajj pilgrims, it is better to defer Hajj preparations due to uncertainty and crisis of COVID-19 this year.
“Under the current circumstances, as we are talking about the global pandemic […] The kingdom is keen to protect the health of Muslims and citizens and so we have asked our brother Muslims in all countries to wait before doing Hajj contracts until the situation is clear,” he said.
RecommendedMust Read
Saudi authorities have not announced whether the Hajj will be observed this year or not. They had earlier asked Muslim countries to halt procedure of their Hajj applications.
The country is also engaged in containment of coronavirus infection at home with the health ministry having reported 1563 positive patients and 10 deaths so far.
