2020 Hajj and Muslim Festivities in Nigeria and Mecca are and will be totally different from previous years.
The development is informed by the novel #COVID19 that has left the world confused, losing communal social life and living in trepidation and uncertainty daily.
Precautionary measures have been taken both in Nigeria and the holy city of Mecca to ensure the pandemic does not exacerbate
Nigeria:
In Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari will observe this year’s Eid with close family just like he did with the Eid-El-Fitr . The Presidency has advised the public not to pay the traditional homage in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Buhari Celebrates Eid-El-Fitr with Family in an Unusual Way
It also cautions that mass gatherings should be avoided completely and if possible, Muslim faithfuls should celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir in their own homes.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola advised Muslims to observe all the health protocols recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). He listed them as observing social distancing, regular washing to hands and wearing of face masks.
World covid19 report as at 29th July:
The 2020 Hajj to the holy city of Mecca has seen reduced numbers of pilgrims due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In previous years, not less than 2 million muslim faithfuls converged annually on the Kaaba in the centre of Mecca’s Grand Mosque.
The pruned down numbers this year is said to be the safest ever. In the past, pilgrims have contracted a host of viral illnesses with some falling sick. Logistics were also a perennial challenge.
This year however has seen deliberate measures with strict monitoring to avert any threat to public health. This is in spite of the reduced number of faithfuls.
Only 10,000 or 0.4% of last year’s 2.5 million muslims were admitted. All participants are resident in the Kingdom.
Workers are seen continuously cleaning and disinfecting the holy sit on Wednesday. The workers were all clad in uniforms resembling those of health workers.
Pilgrims were given elaborate amenity kits that included sterilised pebbles for the ritual stoning of the devil, disinfectant, masks and prayer rugs according to the Hajj Ministry.