Worshippers have returned to Mecca after Saudi authorities partially resumed the year-round umrah pilgrimage after seven-month coronavirus hiatus. Millions of Muslims from around the world usually descend on Saudi Arabia for the umrah and haj Islamic pilgrimages. The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some 6,000 pilgrims each day can perform the umrah 'meticulously and within a specified period of time', Saudi Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten said. But from October 18, a second stage will allow the number of umrah pilgrims to be increased to 15,000 per day.

Source: Daily Mail October 05, 2020 01:05 UTC