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Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are now able to touch ancient Black Stone
A barrier around the Kaaba that was set up at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has now finally been removed, President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz al-Sudais announced in a statement.
For Umrah season, pilgrims in the Great Mosque of Mecca can once again touch and kiss one of Islam's most revered relics, the Black Stone set in the sacred Kaaba building.
The Umrah season started on July 30 and comes at a time when Saudi Arabia eased measures previously taken to face the coronavirus pandemic.
The Umrah pilgrimage can be undertaken at any time of the year and attracts millions from around the world. Pilgrims may also visit the holy city of Medina, according to the BBC.
Al-Sudais said that the decision to remove the protective barriers reflects on the leadership’s interest in facilitating the holy journey for visitors and to provide the safest spiritual environment for them, The Alarabiya English reported.
“The presidency is working with all sectors operating at the Grand Mosque to welcome pilgrims and to provide them with all services based on the leadership's aspirations,” al-Sudais said in the statement.
Saudi Arabia dropped most of its stringent Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year, which meant that the Hajj pilgrimage last month was nearly back to normal for the first time since the pandemic started.
Saudi Arabia announces successful and safe Hajj season
The Black stone is a rock set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba, the ancient building in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. According to Muslim tradition, it dates back to the time of Adam and Eve.
It was already held as sacred before the rise of Islam, and is said to have originally been white, but turned black through receiving the sins of those who touched it, the BBC noted.
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