New at Saudi hajj: Bottled holy water, sterilized pebbles

 Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for 1,000 or so pilgrims that will be allowed to perform hajj pilgrim in Mecca later this month, an experience that will be unlike any before because of coronavirus pandemic.

pilgrims will be only be able to drink holy water from Zamzam well in Mecca that is packd in plastic bottles, and pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged ahe of time. Pilgrims will also have to bring ir own prayer rugs.

guidelines were anunced on Monday as Saudi authorities prepare to carry out a very limited hajj, which for first time will t include pilgrims from outside country. Inste, kingdom said that 70% of pilgrims allowed to participate this year will be from among foreign residents of Saudi Arabia while 30% would be Saudi citizens.

Saudi pilgrims will be selected from among healthcare workers and security personnel who have recovered from COVID-19, illness caused by virus. government said ir selection represents a “token of appreciation for ir role in providing care" during pandemic.

Saudi Arabia has one of Middle East's largest outbreaks of virus, with infection rates rising by 3,000-4,000 cases daily. More than 213,000 people have contracted virus in kingdom so far, including 1,968 who have died.

new guidelines also mandate that foreign residents in Saudi Arabia who want to participate in this year's pilgrim should be between s of 20 and 50, and that have t performed hajj before. pilgrims will have to quarantine before and after hajj, and y will be tested for coronavirus. Those eligible have until Friday to submit an application through kingdom's Hajj Ministry's website.

hajj is t only a once-in-a-lifetime requirement for Muslims but also a chance to wipe away past sins and connect with Muslims from different walks of life.

Saudi Arabia dramatically scaled back hajj due to concerns about overcrowding at annual pilgrim, which usually draws 2.5 million people. crowds move, pray and stand in extremely close proximity, often squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder, as y carry out five days of rites around Mecca.

Saudi Arabia said its decision to curtail hajj was aimed at preserving global public health because of risks associated with large garings.

Pilgrims rmally crowd and push ir way toward cube-shaped Kaaba, which is Islam's holiest site and metaphorical house of God. This year, authorities said anyone participating in hajj will t be allowed to touch Kaaba as part of new safety measures.

Pilgrims this year will also have to wear masks, maintain physical distance during prayers and sleep in tents that follow guidelines on social distancing.