Pilgrims are not allowed to touch the Kaaba this year

Pilgrims are not allowed to touch the Kaaba this year

Pilgrims are not allowed to touch the Kaaba this year

As a result of new regulations introduced by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, a barrier has been placed in front of the Kaaba, preventing Muslim pilgrims from touching Hajar al-Aswad and the walls of the Kaaba.

Pilgrims arriving at the holy site say they were surprised by the post-pandemic regulations and argued that the new arrangement is against the spirit of tawaf, or circumambulation of the Kaaba – a crucial part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, Saudi Arabia had only allowed a limited number of Saudi Muslims to complete the pilgrimage.