The Saudi Arabian government on Tuesday announced that Hajj will be ‘very limited’ this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with people already living in the KSA allowed to take part in the pilgrimage.“Hajj for this year (1441 H/2020 AD) will be held whereby a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia would be able to perform it,” said a statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia.
The statement was shared by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on its verified Twitter account.
“The decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventive measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings,” the statement said.
So only those Bangladeshis who are already staying in Saudi Arabia will be able to perform Hajj this year but nobody will be allowed to fly to the KSA from Bangladesh to perform Hajj.
The statement also said that “In the light that the Coronavirus has spread to more than 180 countries around the world, and that deaths related to Covid-19 have reached almost half a million and over 7 million cases have been confirmed globally.”
“In accordance with what has been stressed by the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding the continued risks stemming from this pandemic and the lack of available vaccinations and a cure for those who have been infected by Covid-19 around the world, and to preserve the security of global public health especially in light of the increase in the number of cases in most countries according to reports issued by global health organizations and institutions and considering the risks of the disease and infections spreading in crowded gatherings where it is difficult to maintain safe social distancing among the individuals gathered, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose top priority is to always Muslim pilgrims’ safety and security.”
Statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia- Twitter – UNB
