# Saudi Arabia is recommending that Muslims not do the Hajj **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 31, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765 "2020-03-31T22:03:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/1 "2020-03-31T22:03:24Z")
They already suspended Umrah, where people go to Mecca year round. So far, the Hajj, which is scheduled to take place in July, is not cancelled outright but the Saudi government is recommending that people not attend this year. > **[Citing COVID-19, Saudi Arabia asks Muslims to put hajj plans on hold | CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saudi-arabia-hajj-covid-1.5516368)** > > Saudi Arabia wants Muslims to wait until there is more clarity about the COVID-19 pandemic before planning to attend the annual hajj pilgrimage, the minister for hajj and umrah said on state TV Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/2 "2020-04-01T00:04:45Z")
Sounds like a rational decision to me. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/3 "2020-04-01T01:59:05Z")
I agree. For many years, Hajj pilgrims have had to provide proof of immunization for an assortment of diseases. Their main targets have been polio, measles, and epidemic meningitis. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/4 "2020-04-01T06:27:34Z")
All our mosques have been closed for a week or two. No communal prayers. OTOH, the across the street seems to have cranked up the volume. Maybe it is Pledge Week again. No international travel. No travel between regions. No buses or taxis. We have been on a curfew from 19.00 to 06.00. No umrha, Hajj may be canceled. On the other hand, we have toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/5 "2020-04-01T07:18:41Z")
The Hajj has been [canceled many times in history.](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/3/9/could-the-hajj-be-cancelled-because-of-the-coronavirus). About 40 years since the 7th century AD. We have country quotas, you have to be approved for a Hajj, you just cannot decide to go on a whim. If the Saudi Gov and countries of origin refuse permission, then its functionally canceled. > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > On the other hand, we have toilet paper. If all COVID19 does is get Westerners to learn about washing then human hygiene will have improved significantly. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabia-is-recommending-that-muslims-not-do-the-hajj/850765/6 "2020-04-02T01:36:25Z")
The weather has been so nice. I have been eating my meals on the lawn. These are the sort of days when you do not want to go to the office anyway.