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."
Comments
Dear Irshad sunnis are Not blindly following. sunni follow the 4 Imam they also studied Quran & hadith .sunni have Many ulema studied quran & hadith
This is the influence of BJP's friendship with AP Usthad and Sunni group.
Sunni has no guts to debate with Salafi or Thableek on the base of Quran and Hadeeth.
Sunni is still running under darkness. Instead of calling sunni or salafi, try to prove as muslim by reading and understanding quran and hadeeth, and implant in your life.
After death Angel will ask what is your Din. Answer is Islam not Sunni or Salafi. After death answer is only Islam then why in Dunia so called Sunni and Salfi. Dear Sunni brothers don't blindly follow so called Malabarys. Use your own brain
Whoever said we fight with each other are totally wrong. This is an attack from one group only On those people who are trying to spread the actual message of islam that says Pray to Allah only. The very first chapter of quran clears everything. And all those who oppose are people who have totally misunderstood and lost faith in Quran.
Sunni has taken very drastic route to fight the people of thouheed when it failed to justify through Quran and hadees for what they are doing like darga, mawlid, waseelah etc. this is a sign of failure nothing else.. And as said in Quran falsehood is bound to perish!! But no matter what Allah is with the true believers!!
006.159
\Indeed, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part with them in the least: their affair is with God: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they used to do\"
THEN WHO MADE THIS SUNNI, SALAFI ETC, WHY THEY NEED TAG.
PROPHET MOHAMMED WAS NEITHER SUNNI NOR SALAFI,"
Good Lessons for Salfees, who is dividing the society....this should continue in other place also....
Sunnis are becoming arrogant and trying to crush all others who are opposing them. Ulemas in this factions are not doing much to end so many superstitious beliefs and exploitation in the name of religion. They are not addressing the social issues which are causing damage to our society yet again its all unislamic too. If Salafi's are doing their function, why sunnis to there and ransack. It clearly indicates that their mind set is instigated by their Ulemas. As far as I know Salafis are only opposing some of the ill practices which are unislamic but we borrowed from other communities. Such as 1. Dowry - Totally not in Islam but very rampant in other communities. We borrowed it but Sunni ulemas are silent. They are not opposing it. 2. Practicing bidaat like visiting shrines, muslim swamis etc instead of praying to Allah. Hidden benefit to some factions of society - so one is opposing. 3. There are many harams being practiced by some members of society instead of opposing those things they are opposing Salafis etc. They should strongly oppose drinks and many other haram practices in our society. I am sure those attackers may not be praying 5 times but they want to oppose salafis. Very very Contradicting.
Grave worshiping must stop. Shirk must stop. Allah will not give another opportunity to us anymore. Stop sleeping on real issue. Ponder on religion. Start calling yourself Muslim rather than salafi or sunni. We are all to blame for not conveying true message of Islam to our own people. May Allah Guide Us All
IDENTIFY REAL CULPRITS
there is a old proverb in Tulunadu in Tulu \ JAATHIG JAATHI PAGE , NAIG NAI PAGE\" , regardless of hindu and muslims , this is common in Dakshina Kannada.
If any organization who makes programme , whatever they speak one should not go and attack them. Those who attack are called\"terrorists\".
You can take many examples if Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat or similar extremists speaks against muslims in the public speech, no organization, or no muslims go there and attack them, at the same time SDPI party organizers who speak against RSS and Kalladka Bhat in the open function infront of DC office, never RSS people go there and attack the speaker or audience.
Nobody is above the law and nobody in this earth equal to GOD or Prophets. We have seen Swamies, Thangals, Priests ... were doing immoral activities and some are in the jail too.
It is our big mistake that we have imported from nearby Kerala all these politics. These groups are all from Malayalees influenced in
Mangalore religious activities. It is very hard now to eliminate these kerala groups. Because they have already poisoned our common people.
It is unfortunate that in Mangalore some educated so called muslim leaders (businessmen) are supporting these elements. Even one of the University Chancellor too behind these people , going each and every dargas etc. It is shameful.
Now it is the time to unite and fight against the terrorists and facist by joining hands together with other community members but not fighting within the groups."
Not right to use the word \extremist\""
Salafis are big criminals should be banned their organisation all over the country dont let them to do programs.
I thought this Coastal Digest media is diffrent from safron or evening paper.... but again it has proved that... all media is same on thier belif... why should you mention heading ... SALAFI ATTACKED BY SUNNI... rather than group attacked some persons.....
Shame on you CD ..... you are doing lkie western media....
Yaan iththe Tableeg jamaath. Yergaavuye Salafi-Sunni kiri kiri..
haha.. Congo Salafi Sunni brothers for the clash. Bcoz of you people our naren kotian is back !!!
I witnessed this incident. I think many among those who attacked the Salfis were drunk. First time I came to know that Muslims in our region consume alcohol.
Some organisation mus take up the cause of creating awareness among Muslim youths about drug abuse and alcoholism now.
Excuse me. Those are not sunnis. They are grave worshippers, which is strictly prohibited in Islam. Our beloved prophet(S) gave order to hazrat Ali (r) to demolish graves. And these people build graves and do urs and other non-Islamic rituals.
So called Sunni's I know if salafi's talk about bidaath that you people are doing then you will get frustrate. Salafi's are talking with thye reference of Quraan & Hadeeth. If anything which goes against your belief then you guys are ready to kill and fight. My request is with you that if you have any doubts then arrange a stage and lets have a debate on the issues with the knowledge of quraan & Hadeeth. Fighting only shows your weakness.
islamic state practising lynching after looking at their chummah brothers in raqqa... papa 2020 ge isis namma rashtrakke nuggi baruttajnthe ... so may be trials they are doing .... nia must watch ...
Better to send these trouble makers to Andaman and engage them in Construction activities.....
DIVIDING is a tool used by Shaitan & his followers.
SABR is a tool which our prophets of ALLAH taught to their FOLLOWERS to be used in times of ANGER...
When U miss SABR, U end up helping the SHAITAN and his followers.
To be Patience, Follow how Prophet Muhammad pbuh taught us to tackle such situation .... If the LEADERS of EACH group doesnt start to UNITE the MUSLIMs. It will become WORSE in the coming days.
Any msg you receive thru FACEBOOK, Whatsapp or other media channel Please VERIFY it... B4 U fall & trap to such ignorant actions..
Peaceful, Peaceful, Peaceful Piiieeece......
14th century divided ills. Bale Telippale.
Dear Brother Mohan Mahajan (Fake Name)
You might feel funny now but Day is not far to realize and to repent on your FUNNY Comment unfortunately you will not find any one around you to listen your repent.
Viren and Naren brothers are innocent leave them,Poor guys...
Im a MUSLIM....
When somebody is talking about ALLAH and giving knowledge about ALLAH and its prophet... STOP and LISTEN carefully what they say about ALLAH and his prophets....
May be he is saying GOOD and with ignorance, YOU might stop the message of our Prophet Mohammad pbuh reaching out to the PUBLIC...which will have ACCOUNTABLE infront of our CREATOR...
STOP looking other MUSLIM as Sunni, Salafi, Mujahid, Jammat... (Dont ACT like the people of JAHILIYA...) LOOK every MUSLIM as a MUSLIM...and avoid traping to shaitan's trick of DIVISION.
There might be a difference of OPINION, even the SAHABAS had.. But they didn't fight each other.
When Prophet Muhammad pbuh said to take care of the neighbors ( He did not say only MUSLIMs... even if your neighbor is a NON MUSLIM, We should follow the advise of the best of HUMAN and the messenger of ALLAH & treat our neighbor in the best way..).
Bap ray bap, what's going on you wonder world religious crazy's no one not knows who is perfect, who are those buffoons Injured the (religious name fighting) decently the are going to Hell!!!!! because they are destructed, damaged the peaceful nation, never told in Islam or Your Thouheed, really you Citizens of Hindustan you are very much Lucky you Born and Brought up in Hindustan!! not in Pakistan?? my dear citizens of Hindustanis, pleas be aware all good Human beings going to \Heaven\", and Trouble makers going to \"Hell\" please do not kill Innocent people to Earn money to your pocket to feed Poison to Your generation, that's Haram bai Sabb!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jai Hindustan
Jai Hoo Modiannsa."
Hahaha. good one. but keep this fighting within you only. If u touch Hindus Bajrang Dal knows how to teach you people a lesson.
When people started to preach about True Islam definitely there will be some one to oppose, because for some innocent people they cannot Digest the TRUTH.Even Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) used to face such incidents during his time.Even his Own family used to curse him.Prophets uncle cursed him by saying 'Thabbalaq ya Muhammed' (You may Destroy),But at the end Almighty Allah Destroyed his Uncle itself.So no need to worry about all this.After all this is nothing compare to our Beloved Prophet Muhammed PBUH. He faced more then this.
Be patiece and do not quite Preaching Truth to entire Humanity.Because Islam is for all.It will benefit life after death.In sha allah
Very sad. Now salafism will grow. Whenever they came under attack, more number of sunnis joined Salafi. two decades ago there were hardly two dozen salafis in Mangaluru
What a shame. A few years ago we were blaming evengers for publishing such reports. But now we all know about the rising intolerance within small muslim community members in coastal Karnataka. Why the hell these people behave like Bajrang Dal goons? Whats the difference between BD goons and the one who carried out attack on a religious conference?
Dont understand when will the muslims ever become smart! Guys, just follow what you beleive.. Why try to impose on others? Let Sunnis do maulood or visit dargahs or even do ratib.... Why try to be judge? Let Allah decide whats wrong and right... Its been 1400 years since the Islam came through Prophet Muhammed and in the time of Sahabis, the sect Shia came into existence... Since 1400 years the Shias are still in this world and no Salafis or Sunnis could ever convince them and bring them to main stream Islam!! Then, why the hell are we fighting now among our self? Just practice what is good for you, let ALlah be the judge in the end...
:) funny followers of a funny religion do always funny things.
So called sunnis are losing their brain and heart....now they realized that they cannot make corrupt money any more....and can't cheat innocents by inviting them to do shirk at various dargahs....and these dargahs are money making machine for some....looting poor and down and trodden people in the name of saints.....all I can say is day time looting.....
he he he really funny fighting for what ? this s the unity between so called () community.
Shameless and Loveless Muslims know only to speak bad about others and fight with each other.Where is Islam?U are fighting for Islam???Islam means peace,loving each other,forgiving each other,helping each other.Humanity is Islam.Not just 5 times Namaz,fasting,haj to meccca etc....Prophets came to the communities to bring peace..not to create problems..Forgive each other for the sake of Heaven...and most of the problem will get solved.
firstly we need to identify what we are .. where we are heading to? we cant maintain brotherhood then what and from where we can expect the same from others!!
may Allah guide all
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