Riyadh, Jun 17: Saudi Arabia is expected to scale back or call off this year's hajj pilgrimage for the first time in its modern history, observers say, a perilous decision as coronavirus cases spike.
Muslim nations are pressing Riyadh to give its much-delayed decision on whether the annual ritual will go ahead as scheduled in late July.
But as the kingdom negotiates a call fraught with political and economic risks in a tinderbox region, time is running out to organise logistics for one of the world's largest mass gatherings.
A full-scale hajj, which last year drew about 2.5 million pilgrims, appears increasingly unlikely after authorities advised Muslims in late March to defer preparations due to the fast-spreading disease.
"It's a toss-up between holding a nominal hajj and scrapping it entirely," a South Asian official in contact with Saudi hajj authorities said.
A Saudi official said: "The decision will soon be made and announced."
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, withdrew from the pilgrimage this month after pressing Riyadh for clarity, with a minister calling it a "very bitter and difficult decision".
Malaysia, Senegal and Singapore followed suit with similar announcements.
Many other countries with Muslim populations -- from Egypt and Morocco to Turkey, Lebanon and Bulgaria -- have said they are still awaiting Riyadh's decision.
In countries like France, faith leaders have urged Muslims to "postpone" their pilgrimage plans until next year due to the prevailing risks.
The hajj, a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, represents a major potential source of contagion as it packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites.
But any decision to limit or cancel the event risks annoying Muslim hardliners for whom religion trumps health concerns.
It could also trigger renewed scrutiny of the Saudi custodianship of Islam's holiest sites -- the kingdom's most powerful source of political legitimacy.
A series of deadly disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 worshippers, has prompted criticism of the kingdom's management of the hajj.
"Saudi Arabia is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea," Umar Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told AFP.
"The delay in announcing its decision shows it understands the political consequences of cancelling the hajj or reducing its scale."
"Buying time"
The kingdom is "buying time" as it treads cautiously, the South Asian official said.
"At the last minute if Saudi says 'we are ready to do a full hajj', (logistically) many countries will not be in a position" to participate, he said.
Amid an ongoing suspension of international flights, a reduced hajj with only local residents is a likely scenario, the official added.
A decision to cancel the hajj would be a first since the kingdom was founded in 1932.
Saudi Arabia managed to hold the pilgrimage during previous outbreaks of Ebola and MERS.
But it is struggling to contain the virus amid a serious spike in daily cases and deaths since authorities began easing a nationwide lockdown in late May.
In Saudi hospitals, sources say intensive care beds are fast filling up and a growing number of health workers are contracting the virus as the total number of cases has topped 130,000. Deaths surpassed 1,000 on Monday.
To counter the spike, authorities this month tightened lockdown restrictions in the city of Jeddah, gateway to the pilgrimage city of Mecca.
"Heartbroken"
"The hajj is the most important spiritual journey in the life of any Muslim, but if Saudi Arabia proceeds in this scenario it will not only exert pressure on its own health system," said Yasmine Farouk from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
"It could also be widely held responsible for fanning the pandemic."
A cancelled or watered-down hajj would represent a major loss of revenue for the kingdom, which is already reeling from the twin shocks of the virus-induced slowdown and a plunge in oil prices.
The smaller year-round umrah pilgrimage was already suspended in March.
Together, they add $12 billion to the Saudi economy every year, according to government figures.
A negative decision would likely disappoint millions of Muslim pilgrims around the world who often invest their life savings and endure long waiting lists to make the trip.
"I can't help but be heartbroken -- I've been waiting for years," Indonesian civil servant Ria Taurisnawati, 37, told AFP as she sobbed.
"All my preparations were done, the clothes were ready and I got the necessary vaccination. But God has another plan."
Without directly naming anyone, Maharaj reportedly said, “This population rise is not because of the Hindus. Population has risen due to those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children.” He added, “Mothers aren't just birth-giving machines. Mother, Hindu or Muslim, should be respected.”
Comments
You have two options, may Allah almighty bless you hidaya or perish you from this earth. Aameen.
Any count how many wife n children he has?
This so called MP, Maharajjj now realized should not be afraid of feeding the family.
Food comes for you and your family from the God, as long you do the best and leave the rest on God.
Why does he not marry and set a example instead of preaching.
This type of stupid leaders will remain in the top job, as long there are people to elect them.
Unfortunate the country is sinking going back to stone age, by this mentality of people.
Oh ! BJP ( Badmas & Jokers Party) once it called a alternative to Kongis
for Indian Politics is now full of Jokers and Bad Mouthed Sanyasis, is there any body control this idiots , such a wonder full party with People like Advani,Sushama, Jaitly , shotgun , Venkayya and so on Oh Modiji please come out of your silence and send this type craps to mental rehabitation Center or ask them to do some kind of Yogas ( as you said good for mental issues) India need leaders not charecters less Yamla Pagla Diwana MPs who waste Money and Time while barking Publicly.
Hahah now this chaddi has been booked for population control remark.....
Nalayak to be mp...must go
He is not maharaj he is maha I'd......t find which rss leader inspired him and put him in the jail
Ajjere eer onji madme aale maarre. Pokkade daaye bodchandina patherwaar. Election bannaga niklena ee sudugaadu suru aapini.
one PM and lots of sanghis ........... ruined our Country ....
and story continues..................anyways do not give publicity to these kind of third class people ...
Ya man, please do some useful things to society rather than stupid speeches and spoiling peace. We arent financially strong enough to look after 4 wives equally that's why we are marrying only one. As mentioned in Quran if we can't look after them equally than marry only one. We are following it.
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