File Photo: Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque last year, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in their holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 8, 2019 ReutersLess than 1,000 pilgrims from home and abroad to be allowed to perform Hajj, Saudi foreign minister tells his Bangladeshi counterpart in a telephone conversationThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially informed Bangladesh about the cancellation of traditional Hajj this year. Only a limited number (less than 1000, both domestic and international) of Hajjis (pilgrims) will be allowed to perform Hajj this year, he said. Over two million Muslims, including 127,000 from Bangladesh, took part in last year's Hajj, the largest annual congregation in the world. The Saudi foreign minister further conveyed that a small number of pilgrims from each Muslim country would be allowed to join the congregation. Terming the decision “wise” under the circumstances, Foreign Minister Dr Momen thanked the Saudi prince for his call.

Source: Dhaka Tribune June 23, 2020 07:30 UTC