Muslims maintaining social distancing pray in the Grand Mosque for the first time in months since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions were imposed, after they were allowed by the Saudi authorities, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia October 18, 2020. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS
October 18, 2020
CAIRO (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia allowed its citizens and residents inside the kingdom to perform prayers in one of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, for the first time in seven months, state television reported early on Sunday.
Earlier this month Saudi Arabia allowed citizens and residents to perform the Umrah pilgrimage at Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, after a seven-month pause due to coronavirus concerns.
(Reporting by Hesham Abdul Khalek; Editing by William Mallard)
