NEW DELHI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government said Tuesday that Muslim pilgrims from the country will not travel to Saudi Arabia this year for the performance of annual pilgrimage Hajj because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was taken on the communication from Saudi Arabia that pilgrims should not be sent to the kingdom this year in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
"Honoring the decision of the Saudi Arabian government because of serious challenges of coronavirus pandemic and keeping in mind the health and well-being of the people, it has been decided that Muslims from India will not go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj 2020," India's Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the media.
Naqvi said he received a phone call from Hajj and Umrah minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten on Monday suggesting not to allow Hajj pilgrims from India this year.
The Hajj Committee of India has received 213,000 applications from the intending pilgrims for Hajj pilgrimage.
According to India's Ministry of Minority Affairs, the process to refund money deposited by the applicants has been initiated.
Officials said the ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia said due to COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of its spread in crowded spaces and large gatherings, it has been decided that Hajj for this year will be held in a limited manner, whereby a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia would be able to perform it. Enditem
