UAE confirms it will not participate in Hajj

The UAE’s Hajj Affairs Office has confirmed that it will not participate in the 1441 H/ 2020 AD Hajj season, following Saudi Arabia’s decision to limit this year’s hajj to a number of pilgrims who already reside in Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj Affairs Office said its announcement comes after consulting and coordinating with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The UAE also praised the sincere efforts made by Saudi Arabia 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 on news agency WAM.