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Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj due to virus

Amr Nabil/AP

FILE - In this March 7, 2020 file photo, workers disinfect the ground around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia after authorities emptied Islam's holiest site for sterilization over fears of the new coronavirus. This was supposed to be Saudi Arabia's year to shine as host of the prestigious G20 gathering of world leaders. Instead, due to the pandemic, the gathering this November will likely be a virtual meet-up, stripping its host of the pomp that would have accompanied televised arrivals on Riyadh's tarmac. Even the upcoming hajj pilgrimage faces the possibility of being canceled or dramatically pared down. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)

By: The Associated Press

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia says this year's hajj will not be canceled, but that due to the coronavirus only "very limited numbers" of people will be allowed to perform the major Muslim pilgrimage.

The kingdom said Tuesday that only people of various nationalities already residing in the country would be allowed to perform the hajj.

The government did not specify how many people would be permitted to take part.

The annual pilgrimage, which is set to begin this year at the end of July, traditionally draws around 2 million Muslims from around the world for five intense days of worship and rituals in Mecca.

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Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj due to virus

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