Haj 2020: Downsized and unique, Muslims begin haj amid COVID-19 pandemic

Pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the square structure in the Great Mosque, toward which believers turn when praying, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, late Sunday, July 26, 2020. Pilgrims will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing during a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in the holy city of Mecca and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Ministry of Media via AP)

Pilgrims arrive to King Abdulaziz Airport for Haj to Mecca, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, July 25, 2020. (Saudi Ministry of Media via AP)

In this photo released by the Saudi Media Ministry, officials prepare for the arrival of pilgrims Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by simulating the first rites of haj around Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, hours before the pilgrimage is set to begin. The Islamic pilgrimage has been drastically downsized from 2.5 million pilgrims to as little as 1,000 this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)

Workers disinfect the ground outside the Grand Mosque, over fears of the new coronavirus, at the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, July 27, 2020.

The area around the Kaaba is prepared for pilgrims, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, July 27, 2020. Only about 1,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform the annual pilgrimage this year due to the virus pandemic. (Saudi Ministry of Media via AP)

General view showing the Grand Mosque, at the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, July 27, 2020. State media showed health workers sanitising their luggage, and some pilgrims reported being given electronic wristbands to allow authorities to monitor their whereabouts. Hajj authorities have cordoned off the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.

The Grand Mosque, at the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, July 27, 2020. They were given elaborate amenity kits that include sterilised pebbles for a stoning ritual, disinfectants, masks, a prayer rug and the ihram, a seamless white garment worn by pilgrims, according to a haj ministry document (AP Photo)

In this photo released by the Saudi Media Ministry, workers polish the white marble floors surrounding Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 29, 2020, ahead of the arrival of as little as 1,000 pilgrims for this year’s haj pilgrimage. The foreign press are barred from this year's hajj, usually a huge global media event, as the government tightens access to Mecca (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by the Saudi Media Ministry, officials prepare for the arrival of pilgrims Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by simulating the first rites of haj around Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, hours before the pilgrimage is set to begin. All worshippers were required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Mecca and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)