Hajj 2020: Saudi Arabia Finally Announced The Details Of Pilgrimage Amid Coronavirus

Muslims all over the world have been debating whether Hajj 2020 should be carried out as the Covid-19 pandemic still isn’t under control. Public gatherings are banned across the globe to ensure safety of the citizens and in a gathering as huge as Hajj it would be next to impossible for the Saudi administration to ensure adherence to the health-related SOPs.

In view of this predicament, the government of Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that Hajj 2020 will be very limited.

This year’s Hajj will be inside closed borders and only the residents of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.

More than 2.5 million people performed Hajj in 2019. Considering the huge number of pilgrims the only way to allow Hajj 2020 while taking measures for public safety was by  limiting the number of attendees altogether.

The announcement of limited Hajj 2020 was taken very positively by Muslims all across.

There were prayers for the pandemic to recede and for Muslims from around the world to once again gather at Kaa’ba in 2021.

There will be Hajj in this year ALHUMDULILLAH..🌸
*Limited no. for the safety of pilgrims.
*From different nationalities within the Kingdom.#hajj2020 pic.twitter.com/RGEj33XdnM

— Komal Ansari | free 🇵🇸 (@DrKomal26) June 22, 2020

According to an official announcement from the Saudi government, #Hajj2020 will only be open to a limited number of pilgrims of different nationalities who are already living in the Kingdom. There will be no pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia this year. Wise, pragmatic decision. pic.twitter.com/pRAJ2gqRu0

— Siraj Wahab (@sirajwahab) June 22, 2020

And while the heart ache is real for many Muslims, there’s also a sense of relief that even with a limited capacity, at least Hajj 2020 will still be performed.

The heart aches but we are pleased with God's decree.#hajj2020 #hajj1441 is not "cancelled" – only local pilgrims will attend.

God-willing, we will all be back very soon. pic.twitter.com/Qb2D9x2bHL

— DrHaroonسيدات (@HaroonSidat) June 22, 2020

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Saudi Arabia have decided that the Hajj will only be performed by limited numbers of people already residing within the Kingdom.

May Allah count us from those intended to perform the Hajj this year, allow us to be from those who will be forgiven on the Day of 'Arafah, accept the pic.twitter.com/DDsj5Stxzs

— Anna Bajwa (@AnaEIbraheem) June 22, 2020

Limited People Better Then Zero People…✨
May Allah SWT accept the Hajj of those who will perform this year In’Sha’Allah and May Allah SWT grant Hajj to those who desire to go In’Sha’Allah 🕋#hajj2020 #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/pF4tlxeuGZ

— Timazer Khansa (@timazer_K) June 22, 2020

Alhamdullilah for Hajj not being cancelled completely, but for the first time International Hajj has been cancelled.💔 #hajj2020#YaAllah! forgive us for our sins. #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/idFAzE8b9l

— Muqaddas Iftikhar (@if_muqaddas) June 22, 2020

I was going to perform Hajj this year with my mother but Saudi government has cancelled the International Hajj today. A very sad day. May Allah accept our intentions.#hajj2020 #hajj1441 pic.twitter.com/mjLXfxX3ru

— Waleed🇵🇰 (@_waleedd_) June 22, 2020

In the past too, the pilgrimage had been in times of pandemics.

And while the measure to limit Hajj attendance this year was very understandable, the disappointment for those who were due to visit the holy Kaa’ba in 2020 is equally inevitable.

What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia allowing Hajj 2020 with limited attendance? Share your views in the comments below.