Interactive: See how COVID-19 has dramatically changed Hajj pilgrimage

Hajj in Mecca in 2019 and 2020
Hajj in Mecca in 2019 and 2020 Copyright Saudi Ministry of Media /AFP
By Natalia Liubchenkova
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In 2019, 2.5 million pilgrims made the journey to Mecca, Islam's holiest site. This year, numbers have been restricted to not more than 10,000.

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This is how the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed this year's Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.

In 2019, 2.5 million pilgrims made the journey to Mecca, Islam's holiest site. This year, numbers have been restricted to not more than 10,000.

Drag the slider across the image below to contrast pictures taken during the Hajj in 2019, on the left, and, on the right, this year.

Hajj in Mecca in 2019 and 2020. Source: Saudi Media Ministry via AFP
Hajj in Mecca in 2019 and 2020. Source: Saudi Media Ministry via AFP

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In pictures: Coronavirus-hit Hajj in 2020

Saudi Ministry of Media via AP
Workers disinfect the ground outside the Grand Mosque to prevent the spreading of the new coronavirus, at Mecca, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Ministry of Media via AP
Saudi Ministry of Media via AFP
The medical team from Saudi Arabia's health ministry await the first arrivals of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Ministry of Media via AFP
Saudi Ministry of Media via AP
Pilgrimage travellers seated on a bus at King Abdulaziz International Airport with social distancing measures observed amid pandemicSaudi Ministry of Media via AP
Saudi Media Ministry/AP
A new kiswa, or covering, that was carried to Mecca by pilgrims is placed atop Islam's holiest site the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. July 29, 2020Saudi Media Ministry/AP
STR/AP Photo
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, as they observe social distancing to protect themselves against COVID-19 in Mecca, Saudi ArabiaSTR/AP Photo
Saudi Ministry of Media via AP
A limited number of pilgrims move several feet apart, circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the first rituals of the HajjSaudi Ministry of Media via AP
AP
Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil as they keep social distancing in Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. July 31, 2020AP
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