Published 11:46 IST, February 29th 2020
Pilgrims continue to worship at Mecca in Saudi Arabia despite coronavirus fears
Pilgrims continue to offer prayer at the Grand Mosque despite the rise in the fears of a coronavirus outbreak amid the rising cases in the Middle East.
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Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest site anunced that it will suspend entry of foreigners for year-round "umrah" pilgrim. ban which was anunced on February 27 is an unprecedented move that has left tens of thousands of pilgrims in limbo. This move has also caused widespre uncertainty regarding annual Hajj pilgrim that is scheduled for July.
Floors cleaned 4 times a day
Tens and thousands of pilgrims have continued to offer prayers at Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia despite rising cases of coronavirus. According to sources, Garand Mosque was packed with several thousands of worshippers on February 28, showing that faith trumps health concerns and challenge of disease control for worshippers.
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As per reports, floors of Grand Mosque are washed at least four times a day and roughly 13,5000 carpets in areas that are designated for prayer are regularly cleaned and disinfected. According to Grand Mosque official Jaber Wani, authorities are using best cleaning and sterilisation methods available to m and furr ded that carpets were scrubbed and perfumed daily.
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Reports have claimed that inside of mosque that contains Kaaba, which is focal point of Islam still continues to be packed with tens and thousands of worshippers, most of which are wearing masks to protect mselves. Three pharmacies near Grand Mosque has reportedly run out of masks because of unprecedented and sudden rise in demand for m.
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While pharmacies might be enjoying a surge in demand, or businesses have reported severe losses after Riyh decided to suspend foreign pilgrims. pilgrim and worshippers are very important source of revenue for Saudi Government. Regarding ban on foreign pilgrims, government has reportedly stated that ban is temporary but has t anunced when ban would be lifted.
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11:46 IST, February 29th 2020