Saudi urges Muslims to defer hajj plans over virus

Saudi Arabia's hajj minister has asked Muslims to temporarily defer preparations for annual pilgrim amid uncertainty over coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended year-round "umrah" pilgrim over fears of new coronavirus spreing to Islam's holiest cities, an unprecedented move that raised uncertainty over annual hajj.

"Saudi Arabia is fully rey to serve pilgrims and umrah seekers," hajj minister Mohamm Benten told state-run Al-Ekhbariya television on Tuesday.

"But under current circumstances, as we are talking about global pandemic... kingdom is keen to protect health of Muslims and citizens and so we have asked our bror Muslims in all countries to wait before doing (hajj) contracts until situation is clear."

Saudi authorities are yet to anunce wher y will proceed with this year's hajj, scheduled for end of July.

pilgrim - which last year attracted 2.5 million people - is a key revenue earner for kingdom. But it could be a major source of contagion as it packs pilgrims closely in religious sites.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended prayers inside all its mosques except two holiest sites in Islam as it increased efforts to contain new coronavirus.

anuncements risk riling fringe Muslim hardliners, for whom religion trumps health considerations.

Saudi Arabia is scrambling to limit spre of disease at home. kingdom's health ministry has reported 1,563 coronavirus infections and 10 deaths from illness so far.

(Picture credit: AP)