Saudi Arabia concludes 2020 hajj

Muslim pilgrims circled Islam ’ s holiest site along socially distanced paths Sunday in the final ritual of the hajj , the smallest in modern history as Saudi authorities sought to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.

Only up to 10 , 000 Muslims took part in the hajj , a far cry from the 2 . 5 million who took part in the five - day annual pilgrimage last year .

Masked pilgrims threw pebbles at a wall symbolising Satan in Mina , close to the holy city of Mecca , on the final day of hajj , state media reported.

Instead of gathering the pebbles themselves as in past years , they were handed them bagged and sterilised by hajj authorities, to protect against the novel coronavirus .

Pilgrims returned to the Grand Mosque in Mecca later Sunday to perform a final “ tawaf ” , or circling of the Kaaba — a cubic structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.

Holding the ritual in the shadow of the pandemic required “ double efforts ” by Saudi authorities , King Salman said on Friday after being discharged from hospital following surgery to remove his gall bladder .

The hajj this year was restricted to a very limited number of people from multiple nationalities , ensuring the ritual was completed despite the difficult circumstances , ” said the kingdom ’ s 84 -year - old ruler.

Health authorities said no coronavirus cases were reported at the holy sites during the hajj .

The pilgrims , who were required to observe social distancing and subjected to regular temperature checks , will go into mandatory quarantine after the hajj , authorities said .

The ritual, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able - bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world ’ s largest religious gatherings.

But local media said up to 10 , 000 people already residing in the kingdom were participating this year .

The hajj ministry had initially said around 1 , 000 pilgrims would be allowed .

The hajj typically costs thousands of dollars for pilgrims , who often save for years as well as endure long waiting lists for a chance to attend .

But this year , the Saudi government is covering the expenses of all pilgrims, providing them with meals, hotel accommodation and health care , worshippers said .