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."
Mr Kodichal's in a press meet last week had strongly supported Muslim Personal Law and stated that polygamy is far better than prostitution.
Comments
whoever want to oppose muslim talaq system or polygamy matter in please learn about it then come to talk about it.........
@ #13 Naren Kotian Singapore.
Naren please join our Sister Jashodaben Fans Group,We will make you the President of our Fans Club.If possible we will expand our fans club in Singapore also.
Xavier Mamu,
Cool down, Don't be frustrated. Chaddi brothers will never come to your support when you are in trouble. Relax. Dont forget the Church Attack.
Mr Ibrahim is right, Allah's command is final, no one can change
if you do also it will be fail....
ISLAM is peace religion, never said do not feed non muslims and anti social activities... Always says respect them and their priest
Islam says see the neighbor's hunger and feed them.
DO GOOD WORK FOR SOCIETY and MAKE FAIL TO ALL HATE MONGERS.
Who the hell all these muslim hate mongers tom dicky harry to shed crocodile tears when muslim women muslim community have no objection with the issue. I doubt the husbands of those sharing dias have single relationship. They might have one by legal. But God knows howmany have made back door exit entry . We all knew how the aids spread and who are responsible for it. Haati ke daant khaane ke aur dikhane ke aur. This is bitter truth. Let them look into the referendum in their own community instead tarnish the image of islam and muslim community. They have raise the issues like casteism, untouchability , abortion, devadasi system, alcohol, prostituion, dance bars, fast track hearings for murders and rapists.
Alhamdulillah muslims are proud to be muslim. Islam is the way of life evidencing people embaracing it across the world after practicing different religion majority among are women. Subahanallah. This shows how the hate mongers are hatching the conspiracy against the peace religion. Inspite the efforts Islam will stan firm . More they try malign larger will benefit islam. Tareeq gawah hai.
Dear Ms. Bhat,
In Islam polygamy only allowed to those person who has the capacity to look after with justice. Of course, women are not a use & throw item. Do not under estimate polygamy. It can solve lot of social problems. If you think that marry more than one is just for satisfaction purpose, then do you have any answer about Lord Krishna, who has married 16,000 women?
Look at the frustration ..muah...chummah gang completely in disarray ...hahaha...jashoda Ben fans Anthe .. This community took women as property and they were raping women under the strict rules...this is the main reason 60% prostitutes in kamati puram are from -----community. Ree faizhal Bhai elree idira ....burqa togondra. . I mean for protest rally ge.....rikacha nu seriskondu bidi ....swalpa straight and balukuva made irli ...yaake Andre burqa haaki kondirodu gandu antha gottagbaardu ...haha ...chennagi practice maadri ...
uncultured cong leader
Xavier Uncle. (Im sure he is not a Christian).
Jaun Zale. Dont comment just for the sake of Commenting.Rather Shut your Mouth.
Dear Aunties,
First tell Our Honerable Modi ji,To take care of his Own Wife our beloved sister Jashodaben. please tell him to give her the identity.So that she can spend rest of her life peacefully.
Abu Muhammad #6 CALM DOWN...
People are Ignorant of the REALiTY without making their research they come out and make bow bow by BLINDLY following their Evil Stupid thinking Leaders who also trap the IGNORANTS who want to live a life of UnAware of the consequences with the CREATOR...
Ms. Bhat, I advise you to marry first, change your status from single to marital, try to become a mother to someone and enhance your family tree. with regards to your queries or objection whatsoever, I strongly recommend you to read Chapter Talaq in holy Quran just once in your life time, do a qualitative study, then come to the public (I'm sure then you don't need to come) give your statement.
Sulochana Bhat, first look into your house - in your Brahmin community when husband dies, the widow is shaven, locked in the house and called MUNDE BIRANDI. Women in her period is kept out of the house like dirty dogs, you like your sister to be prostitutes than being a second wife enjoying all rights, freedom, respect and legal status. Your Lord Rama's father practiced polygamy, Pandavas practiced it, Your Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives officially wholesale polygamy ever recorded, Look into your various scriptures for further details and who practiced polygamy. Hindu kings had scores of official and un-official wives. For Polygamy and Divorce is the blessing from God Almighty. See the condition of your leader's wife - she has been suffering like hell in this world, neither divorced nor recognised as wife - Treated like worse than animal. This is the honour you and your Jumla party giving to the woman as your scripture says - NA STREE SWATANTRYA MARHATI.
Why public interested in personal or religious matter? Is anyone getting harm with these?
Dear sisters, very rarely you will find polygamy system followers in Islam. If they do it is their personal matter and better than prostitution. If any poor lady or someone getting respectful life what is wrong with it. Also remember, they should treat them equally so there is no questions about cheating or insulting.
The women in Pictures... and also those who want to increase their intellect...
Please watch this below video in YT
\Ahmed Deedats Amazing answers to 2 questions\""
Yes, polygamy is better than prostitution. Those who do not know the meaning of verses from Quran try to learn the meaning in your mother tongue then only you will be convinced what is and why polygamy.
dear hindu sisters the moment you know about the rights islam has given to women you will no longer remain to be non muslim, A true muslim, and most majority of muslim men dont treat women as objects it is the non islam religions which are treating women as sex objects, i think for these above ladies prostitution is justified if their husbands do , what a shame and they forget that prostitution with whom they are doing is a daughter, or wife or mother of someone., is it ok for them if someone do the same with their daughter or wife or mother.
ISLAM IS THE RELIGION WHICH IS THE TRUE AND THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE. AND ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND THE CHERISHER OF THE UNIVERSE ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY.
BJP is concerned about woman....why they are not concerned about Modi's wife....she has been longing for joining him....why women's right group helping her....and not talking about it.......scared....hypocrites...
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