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The annual Hajj is [set / bet] to take place in the sacred city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage is one of the most important events in the Muslim [calendar / journal] . It lasts [appropriately / approximately] 5 to 6 days and is a mandatory religious [dutiful / duty] for Muslims. Hajj must be carried [in / out] at least once in the lifetime of all adult Muslims. However, they must be physically and financially [capability / capable] of undertaking the journey and must be [ability / able] to support their family during their absence. This year's Hajj has been greatly [scaled / slated] down because precautionary measures for coronavirus have been put [on / in] place. The pandemic has meant the postponement of numerous events, causing considerable disappointment [for / by] pilgrims.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah [renounced / announced] last month that it was severely limiting the number of pilgrims [allowed / permit] to enter the holy site this year. Officials said the measures were to [evade / avoid] any further outbreaks of COVID-19 and contain the risks of [infected / infection] . Many Muslim-majority countries around the world have cancelled pilgrimages to Mecca. The result [be / is] that Mecca will see only a tiny [fraction / friction] of the two million pilgrims it usually receives [among / during] Hajj. This year, places will be restricted [at / to] a few thousand Saudi Arabian citizens. Twenty-two-time pilgrim Wafa Shaheen said: "I was not [upset / reset] by the Hajj news this year as I know there are plenty of ways to take advantage of this [precious / precocious] spiritual time."