Cut in pilgrim numbers: A view of the almost empty sidewalks near the clock tower in Masjid al-Haram, Mecca.
PETALING JAYA: With Saudi Arabia’s cap of 10,000 pilgrims for haj this year, tenant affairs specialist Norani Nordin is one of the lucky eight Malaysians residing in Saudi Arabia who were accepted to perform their pilgrimage.
There is a stark difference now as Mecca, which was visited by 2.5 million pilgrims last year, is devoid of crowds with vast empty spaces and pilgrims maintaining social distancing while circling the Kaabah and performing other rituals.
Norani using a mask while performing rituals for her pilgrimage.
