New Delhi, Jun 6: With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of abating, it seems unlikely that Muslims from India will be able to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
However, the government will take a final decision on the matter only after Saudi Arabia makes its position on hosting the pilgrimage clear.
A circular issued by the Hajj Committee of India on Friday said only a few weeks are left for the preparatory work in India for Hajj 2020, yet the Saudi authorities have not communicated any further development regarding the pilgrimage.
"In view of the several inquiries received and concerns expressed over uncertainty over Hajj 2020, it has been decided by the Hajj Committee of India that, those pilgrims who desire to cancel their Hajj journey this year, their 100 per cent amount paid so far will be refunded without any deductions," the circular issued by Hajj Committee of India CEO Maqsood Ahmed Khan said.
"Coronavirus cases are increasing in Saudi Arabia and two lakh people have to go from here. We had made preparations, but now there is very little time left. We are waiting for an official word from Saudi Arabia," a top source said.
In response to a question, the source said, "This time, it is unlikely that people will be able to undertake Hajj from India."
Uncertainty has been looming large over this year's Hajj in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and though Saudi Arabia has not made a decision on whether the annual pilgrimage will be held or not, it did ask Muslims to delay their bookings till there is more clarity.
The bilateral annual Hajj 2020 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia was signed last December. In 2020, a total of 2 lakh Indian Muslims were expected to perform Hajj.
Over 95,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 600 deaths have been reported in Saudi Arabia due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Some countries have decided not to send their people for Hajj this time. The most prominent among these is Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.
The Hajj 2020 is proposed in the period between late July and early August.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.
Comments
Rasheed Bhai......... No individual is above the Nation. Personal attitudes will not damage the whole NATION and its CONSTITUTION. But a Political Party as a whole can make a difference to the NATION. Being a citizen of INDIA, just evaluate the Nation under BJP rule and CONGRESS rule you will get your ANSWER. Thank God.... your family is safe and secure, but think about those families who were the victims of BJP workers. The intolerance in last 4 years has gone from bad to worse. For God's sake, please keep your difference away especially for this State election and for upcoming General Election in Year 2019. All the best to all the Kannadigas and lets give another chance to CONGRESS to keep the injurious political party BJP much far away.
i think muslims should vote for Ashraf . attitudes of U.T is dangerous than bjp , he is selfish , his last five years attitudes shows he may sell entire community for his personel gains... such candidates should be defeated ....
improve ullal means..... he had not done anytihng to his own place then how we can trust him that he will develop karnataka/India........ i am not anti congress dear. but those who did not work for the welfare of the society should not win this election.... anyone maybe...... staying as loyal, honest, visiting funeral is not that he is good MLA or Minister.......
Abbu , what is your thinking brother, to improve ullal, you will vote against congress, really sad with your thinking , thing about India and people of Bharat , if you divide vote against the situation will be same , vote congress to get good results
use common sense please dont vote any muslims indipendent candidate, vote only congress
Some selfish and jealous people are trying to misguide the community. Instead of supporting and guiding the community to the unity, they try to divide just because of their selfish motives. Community should be very vigilant and aware of what is happening. While all secular forces trying hard to stop this Communal party, this kind of selfish people are trying to divide. They harm the community indirectly. Its better not to give an opportunity to our enemy rather than harming our own community. So be aware of this kind of selfish people. Its very easy for all political parties to be communal but secular parties are struggling. Instead of supporting secular parties, these selfish people trying to divide the votes. Very bad. Need to reject him outright.
Under the current state of affairs, we need to think about the whole KARNATAKA STATE and our great nation "INDIA". This JD(S) candidate is BJP's agent and they are not bother about our STATE & NATION. Even though if he win election this time, I can challenge he will never improve ULLAL. He will just fill his pocket and share few penny to BJP. Let all the Kannadigas be SMART and vote for CONGRESS - because the current situation in INDIA had forced all the MUSLIMS to vote only CONGRESS. We all should think that its CONGRESS V/S BJP only. No other parties should exists at this moment of time. Lets build a very strong and smart INDIA.
better vote all muslims for ashraf ... then how there will be vote divide..... UT khadar has not done anything to improve his place ullal
Good news for BJP
If you vote for Ashraf it is like voting for BJP. Do you want Modi and Amit Shah to win?
Be smart and don't vote for Ashraf
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