According to a statement issued by Al-Haramain on the social networking site Twitter, “the government has decided to allow citizens of different countries residing in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.”
A detailed statement issued by the ministry said, “It has been decided that this year’s Hajj will be with a limited number of pilgrims in view of the threat of the spread of Corona due to large crowds and crowds.”
“Citizens of various countries residing in Saudi Arabia will be able to perform the Hajj and this decision has been made to perform the Hajj safely,” the statement said.
The government said the decision was taken to ensure social distance and all other necessary measures in accordance with Islamic teachings to save lives in the interest of public health.
It should be noted that millions of Muslims from all over the world go to Saudi Arabia every year to perform Hajj and according to reports last year about 2.5 million Muslims performed Hajj.
This year, no one will be able to come for Hajj from countries other than Saudi Arabia due to the corona virus.
According to Arab News, the number of pilgrims coming from abroad last year was more than 1.8 million.
The Ministry of Hajj said that the risks of transmission of corona virus are very high this year.
The Saudi ministry said the government’s first priority has always been to allow Muslims to perform Hajj and Umrah in a safe environment.
The Saudi government closed the Kaaba and other holy sites to the public in March due to the corona virus.
The government had asked the rest of the world to delay preparations for the Hajj, following which Indonesia and Malaysia formally announced not to send their citizens.
Only Saudi citizens and residents will perform Hajj, Ministry of Religious Affairs
Confirming the Saudi government’s decision, Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesman Imran Siddiqui said that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a press release regarding the payment of Hajj.
He said that Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr. Saleh bin Bintan had a telephone conversation with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri.
Imran Siddiqui said that Dr. Saleh bin Bintan formally informed about the decision regarding Hajj and this year only Saudi citizens and accommodation holders will perform Hajj.
He said the Saudi government had apologized for hosting foreign pilgrims to avoid the dangers of the Corona epidemic, after which the Ministry of Religious Affairs convened an emergency meeting.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that procedures would be worked out for the refund of Hajj pilgrims.
He said that Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, diplomatic staff and Pakistan Hajj Directorate would represent Pakistan in Hajj this year.