Saudi Arabia: Citizens of 160 countries selected for Hajj

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has finalized the names for this year's Hajj after examining applications received from citizens of 160 countries.

"The Ministry of Hajj has selected citizens from 160 countries residing in the country for the Hajj," the statement said.

Read more: Hajj 2020: Decision to allow Hajj only to those in Saudi Arabia

"All the lucky candidates have been notified via SMS," he said.

BREAKING NEWS | Ministry of Hajj has made the selection of Hujjaj from 160 nationalities residing in the Kingdom. All successful candidates have been informed via SMS#Hajj

— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) July 12, 2020

According to Arab News, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that the applications were tested to a high standard to ensure the safety and good health of the pilgrims.

The last date for submission of applications for Hajj was July 10 and good health was considered as the main point.

About 70% of the pilgrims will be from abroad, while 30% will be from Saudi Arabia.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that anyone attempting to enter the Hajj sites in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat without permission from 28 Dhikad to 12 Dhil Hajj would be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals.

The statement said that if anyone repeats the violation, the fine will be doubled.

The Interior Ministry said security personnel would be deployed on the roads leading to the holy sites to stop violators and ensure fines.

It may be recalled that the Saudi government had announced on June 24 that only foreigners residing in Saudi Arabia would be allowed to perform Hajj due to the limited number of pilgrims due to the corona virus.

A statement from the Ministry of Hajj said, "It has been decided that this year's Hajj will be with a limited number of pilgrims in view of the threat of the spread of Corona due to the large number of people and crowds."

The statement said, "Citizens of different countries residing in Saudi Arabia will be able to perform Hajj and this decision has been made to perform Hajj safely."

The Saudi government said in a statement that "the decision was made to ensure social distance and all other necessary measures in accordance with Islamic teachings to save lives for the sake of public health."

It should be noted that millions of Muslims from all over the world go to Saudi Arabia every year to perform Hajj and according to reports last year about 2.5 million Muslims performed Hajj.

Due to the corona virus this year, no one will be able to come for Hajj from countries other than Saudi Arabia.