https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/1/saudi-arabia-allows-foreign-pilgrims-to-enter-for-umrah
Around 10,000 foreign pilgrims are able to visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah after being unable to attend for 7 months due to the corona virus. They have to isolate for three days after arriving before they may visit and perform Umrah due to the virus. Al-maddah said they will closely monitor the symptoms and actions of visitors that may have contracted the virus or even those without it to ensure the safety for all visitors. Visitors are not allowed to touch the Kaaba, the most sacred structure in islam. Before the pandemic, the hotels and stores surrounding the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were taking in a very large amount of business due to visiting pilgrims but those are now almost empty.
Although this number being majorly decreased from the number regularly before the pandemic, this is a good step for Saudi Arabia and their economy. Pilgrimage is a huge boost in economy, generating 12 billion dollars in revenue from worshippers’ lodging, transport, gifts, food and fees. Pilgrimage will also be a huge impactor is expanding tourism under Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Prince wants to diversify the world’s top oil exporter. With this small step towards returning back to normal, slowly letting more worshipers come for Umrah will boost Saudi Arabia’s suffering economy as well as there oil business. Saudi Arabia needs this as a lot is going on within the country and they need to restore their economy to keep their country from dropping into poverty.
In class we discussed power of ideas. And one of the ways to accomplish having power of ideas is through religion. Saudi Arabia is very affected by people of different religions, most of which are two very popular religions, muslim and islam. They have the power of ideas through religion because they are able to bring together diverse people and convince their civilians that they are a powerful country because of the influence of religion found in the country. They can also convince other countries they have power because of their great amount of religion to make alliances and trade with other countries.