Saudi Arabia's Hajj Minister asks devotees to temporarily defer preparations for Hajj

Saudi Arabia's Hajj Minister has asked devotees to temporarily defer preparations for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage over fears of COVID-19 spreading to Islam's holiest cities.

Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten told state-run Al-Ekhbariya television yesterday that Saudi Arabia is fully ready to



serve pilgrims and umrah seekers. He added that under the current circumstances, the kingdom is keen to protect the health of Muslims and citizens and asked them to wait untill the situation is clear.

   

Saudi Arabia's health ministry has reported 1,563 Coronavirus infections and 10 deaths from the illness so far.