COVID-19: Coronavirus impact: UAE will not participate in Haj 2020 after Saudi decision!

• HAO fully endorses Saudi Arabia's decision to limit the pilgrimage to pilgrims already in the kingdom.

The UAE Hajj Affairs Office (HAO) announced on Monday that it will not participate in this year's Haj, following Saudi Arabia's decision to limit the Muslim pilgrimage to pilgrims who already reside the Kingdom.

The HAO made the announcement after consulting and coordinating with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah.
The UAE lauded the sincere efforts made by Saudi Arabia, under the wise leadership of the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in serving the pilgrims to the Holy Land in Makkah and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

"The Kingdom's decision stems from the preventive and precautionary measures taken to contain the spread of the pandemic and to keep all humans protected and safe from its risks and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives," the HAO said in a statement.