Indonesia pulls out of annual Makkah pilgrimage over virus fears

JAKARTA: Indonesia is pulling out of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah over coronavirus fears, the religious affairs ministry said Tuesday, removing the largest contingent of worshippers.

More than 220,000 people from the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country were set to take part in this year’s hajj, which all Muslims must perform at least once in their lives if able. The global pandemic has plunged the ritual into doubt, but Riyadh has yet to announce a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the end-of-July celebration. On Tuesday, Indonesia said it was pulling out of the pilgrimage, which last year drew about 2.5 million Muslims to Saudi Arabia from across the globe. “This was a very bitter and difficult decision,” religious affairs minister Fachrul Razi told a televised press briefing. “But we have a responsibility to protect our pilgrims and hajj workers.

Last month, Indonesia pressed Riyadh to announce its decision and President Joko Widodo later held a telephone call with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on the matter, Razi said. Jakarta had considered allowing half the usual number of pilgrims to travel in order to limit the risk, but instead opted to keep them all at home, he added.