DUBAI, KOMPAS.com – Saudi Arabia is considering banning foreign pilgrims for the second year in a row.
The consideration comes as Covid-19 cases are increasing globally, and fears of a new variant will emerge, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday (5/5/2021).
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The move will limit the pilgrimage to Mecca. Although citizens of Saudi Arabia and residents of the kingdom, are still permitted if they have been vaccinated, or have recovered from Covid-19 at least a few months earlier.
“While there is discussion about the possibility of a ban, (but) there is no final decision yet on whether to implement it,” they said.
Two sources with knowledge of the matter said the Saudi authorities initially planned to allow a number of vaccinated pilgrims from abroad.
But due to confusion about the type of vaccine, its efficacy, and the emergence of new variants. This prompted officials to reconsider their policies.
The state media office did not respond to a request for comment Reuters.
Covid-19 infections are still increasing in 35 countries globally. There are at least 153,508,000 infections and 3,351,000 deaths reported as a result a new variant of the corona virus so far.
India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported. About one in four deaths reported worldwide each day come from the South Asian country.
Crowds of millions of pilgrims from around the world can become hotbeds for the virus. In the past some pilgrims have returned to their countries with respiratory and other ailments.
In February, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on entry from 20 countries. The rule does not apply to diplomats, Saudi nationals, medical practitioners and their families to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
The ban, which is still in effect today, includes people arriving from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, France, Egypt, Lebanon, India and Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia, which has staked its reputation on safeguarding Islamic holy sites in Mecca and Medina, banned foreigners from performing the Haj last year due to the pandemic.
It was the first time in the modern history of the Saudi kingdom. In turn, only a small number of Saudis and residents are still allowed to practice worship there.
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Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, around 2.5 million worshipers used to visit Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina for Haj and Umrah throughout the year.
Overall this tradition generates revenue for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia around 12 billion dollars (Rp 171.8 trillion) a year, according to official data cited. Reuters.
As part of an economic reform plan undertaken by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom hopes to increase the number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims to 15 million and 5 million respectively by 2020.
The number of Umrah is expected to be doubled to 30 million by 2030. With this, the Saudis can get 50 billion riyals (13.32 billion US dollars), equivalent to Rp 190.7 trillion in income from Haj alone in 2030.
Also read: Kiswah: The Story Behind the Cover of the Kaaba in Mecca
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