Saudi faces hard haj call as virus cases spike

A file picture of pilgrims at the Kaabah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh (AFP): Saudi Arabia is expected to scale back or call off this year's haj pilgrimage for the first time in its modern history, observers say, a difficult decision as Covid-19 cases spike.

Muslim nations are pressing Riyadh to give its much-delayed decision on whether the annual ritual will go ahead as scheduled in late July.