Srinagar: A day after Saudi Arabia halted travel to the holiest sites in Madina and Mecca over fears about the spread of Coronavirus, authorities here in Kashmir Valley stopped over 40 pilgrims from boarding a plane at Srinagar Airport.
Sources told Kashmir News Trust that over 40 Kashmiri pilgrims who had arrived at Srinagar Airport to board a plane for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah were sent back by authorities.
“We had arrived at the Airport but were not allowed to take the flight. It is very disappointing,” said Muhammad Imran.
Pertinently, Saudi Arabia closed the holy Islamic sites for outside pilgrims over fears about viral epidemic just months ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a move that came as the Middle East has over 240 confirmed cases of Coronavirus. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kabba. It showed the worry about the outbreak of Coronavirus that has spread almost across the globe and claimed thousands of lives, especially in China. (KNT)
