ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims on Wednesday welcomed the removal of barriers surrounding the Holy Kaaba, the black cubical structure at the heart of Makkah’s Grand Mosque, saying the Saudi government’s decision had given them the opportunity to touch the structure with reverence at the outset of the new Umrah season.
The development was announced by Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, who leads the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, on Tuesday.
The barriers were installed around the Kaaba at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among worshippers visiting the mosque.
“I performed Umrah last night which turned out to be an excellent experience since I could access Hateem [the area enclosed by a semi-circular wall next to the Kaaba] along with other spaces,” Faiz Umer, a Pakistani Hajj pilgrim from Islamabad, told Arab News from Makkah over the phone.
“I also kissed the Black Stone [embedded in the eastern corner of Kaaba] which was not allowed during Hajj,” he said.
A Pakistani national based in Saudi Arabia, Kanwar Naveed Yousaf, said he frequently went to the Grand Mosque and was excited to find himself so close to the Kaaba after nearly two and a half years.
“I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the Grand Mosque this morning,” he told Arab News. “I even prayed in Hateem after a long time.”
Yousaf said the Saudi authorities had made elaborate arrangements during the pandemic to control the spread of the viral respiratory disease in Makkah.
However, he noted the kingdom was gradually lifting the restrictions to allow all pilgrims and worshippers a deeper spiritual experience.
“The Saudi authorities managed to organize the Hajj with over one million pilgrims this year without any rise in COVID-19,” he continued. “This shows their ability and competence to handle large crowds.”
Speaking to Arab News, Pakistan’s Hajj director in Makkah, Sajid Manzoor Asadi, described the development as a great gesture, adding that the kingdom had also taken several other steps to facilitate pilgrims.
“The Saudi government has removed the vaccination requirement and age restriction for Umrah pilgrims,” he said. “Women have also been allowed to come here unaccompanied.”
According to people running travel services for Umrah, the lifting of restrictions imposed during the pandemic had also reduced the cost of pilgrimage.
“The removal of quarantine requirement, for instance, has made things more economical for those who are interested in performing Umrah,” Faizan Akhtar, member of Pakistan’s Umrah Travel Agents’ Association, told Arab News.
He added the Saudi authorities were likely to remove the remaining restrictions in the coming days as well.
Hamza Ali from Rawalpindi, who is going for Umrah next week, welcomed the removal of barriers surrounded the Kaaba along with other restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
“I feel so excited that I will be able to move freely in the mosque and touch the Kaaba,” he said. “I am thankful to Allah who has chosen me to visit Makkah, and I am eagerly counting days to get there.”
