Posted by Faisal Naeem in Hajj Info Guidance on March 27th, 2020
Updated: 27 March 2020 | Ibadat.pk | Hajj Desk: After the recently flurry of messages on social media and WhatsApp (regarding cancellation of Hajj 2020), Minister of Religious Affairs, Pir Noorul Haq Qadri held a press conference on Thursday (26 March) in which he clarified Saudi Arabia has not yet taken any decision to call off this year’s Haj, putting an end to rumours that Riyadh has decided to cancel the event due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Saudi Arabia has only told us not to finalise any Haj-related agreement for the time being. A final decision will be taken by King Salman himself,” Pir Noorul Haq Qadri told the press conference.
Saudi Arabia on Thursday has sent directives to Pakistan stating that any Hajj preparation work should be temporarily halted due to the coronavirus panic, according to a letter received from the Hajj Ministry of the kingdom. Religious Affairs Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri consequently halted work on the upcoming Hajj agreement.
Saudi Haj Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher had advised the government not to finalise any agreement regarding hotels, provision of food and transport arrangements during this time as the matter at hand is uncertain due to the lockdown and containment measures against the novel coronavirus.
In the letter, Dr Mohammad Saleh said the Saudi government was monitoring the situation and would get in touch with Pakistan as soon as it felt that the virus outbreak had eased.
“The government has conveyed the Saudi message to all Haj operators and put on hold arrangements for the time being,” the minister said.
“But we are in touch with the Saudi Haj and Umrah ministry.”
Since Hajj complex in Islamabad had been converted into a quarantine centre, the training of government hujjaj stod suspended – according to the press conference held by Pir Noorul Haq Qadri
The Ministry of Religious Affairs had conducted Haj ballot for the government scheme last month which saw a 31% reduction in year on year government Hajj Applications, but this was not due to coronavirus fear.
Read more: How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Hajj Info Guidance on March 24th, 2020
Recently there has been flurry of images (regarding cancellation of Hajj 2020) making rounds on social media accompanied by the following short message in English and Urdu:
سعودی حکومت نے اس بات کی تصدیق کی ہے کہ اس سال حج منسوخ ہو سکتا ہے اور تمام حج کمپنیوں کو کہا ہے کہ کسی بھی طرح کا کوئ معاہدہ نہ کریں کسی ہوٹل کسی معلم یا کسی ٹکٹ کا
The Saudi government has confirmed that this year the Hajj may be cancelled and has asked all Hajj companies not to make any deal with any hotel, trainer or ticket.
The reference for this image in question is the following notification:
Without questioning the authenticity of the above notification, it needs to be clarified that the above notification is NOT BY THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT, but by Omani Government which is advising its Hajj Group Organizers and Operators to delay making payments for hotels, transport companies and Maktab’s for Hajj 2020 as there is yet no clarity on how things will proceed.
The official stamp at the bottom of letter is of the Government of Oman and the letter is merely asking its agents to delay the process of doing agreements for its hujjaj.
Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia is yet to announce any policy for Hajj 2020 in light of the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 and there has been misrepresentation of the above letter due to it being in Arabic.
We request people not to forward such letters under false pretences as this just fuel’s anxiety and panic.
It is pertinent to mention here that Saudi Government as yet has been very swift in taking strict action to curb the menace of Corona Virus like suspension of prayers at All Mosques (Except Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabvi in Madinah), not allowing entry to all international Umrah Zaireen, imposing curfew in cities from 7pm to 6am and temporarily banning all travel from several nations including Pakistan . If current crisis doesn’t ease up then drastic measures might be taken but we have to wait for any update from the Saudi Government. Hence Hajj 2020 being cancelled can not be claimed as yet!
Read more: How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Hajj Info Guidance on March 19th, 2020
Pakistan travel industry experts are expecting that the Saudi Government may reduce Hajj Quota of different countries (residents of countries most affected might completely be barred from preforming Hajj in 2020) in an effort to manage the spread of virus. If this is the case then the overall Hajj Quota from Pakistan may be reduced and hence Quota of to Private Hajj Organizers will also get reduced. This means that the availability of Private Hajj Packages for 2020 in Pakistan will go down.
Kindly note: that these are just assumptions based on opinions of with in the industry and there is no confirmation from any source about any reduction in Quota. Nothing can be confirmed until things settle down and Umrah Visa issuance is revived by the Saudi Government.
According to Bloomberg: Evidence is starting to emerge that temperature and humidity do make a difference in the ability of the virus to infect large numbers. That should give health services hope for some respite as summer spreads across northern temperate regions, aiding the ability to plan for renewed outbreaks once winter rolls around.
However, the above evidence is yet to be widely tested and scientific confirmations about the above will need some time. If it is true, then due to extremes of temperatures being reached in a hot and dry country like Saudi Arabia, virus spread might be curtailed.
Provided below is Health Advisory by Ibadat.pk Hajj Desk for Pilgrims intending to travel for Hajj in 2020: The following travellers are requested to delay their travel due to the constant threat of the COVID 19 virus in Saudi Arabia
1. Pregnant Women
2. Children
3. Diabetic Individuals
4. Those with chronic health issues such as cancer or respiratory diseases
5. Those with congenital disorders
Ibadat Hajj Desk Recommends the following precautions:
1. All immunizations should be up to date of travellers going to perform Hajj. These includes: Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, flue shots and as well as Polio vaccinations
2. Carry sanitizers, medical gloves, face masks, cold, cough and diarrhoea medication, and inhalers for asthmatic patients for emergency situations
3. Due to extremes of temperatures being reached in a hot and dry country like Saudi Arabia, all Pilgrims are requested to move to the cool area and seek medical assistance when faced with dizziness or dehydration
Yes! Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had decreased quota of Pakistani pilgrims (and other hujjaj from around the world) by 20 percent in 2013 due to construction work for the extension of Masjid Al-Haram. The reduction in quota was implemented from 2013 till 2016 after which it was restored to its original amount.
The most recent case was in 2016, when Iranian pilgrims did not attend Hajj after the two countries Saudi Arabia and Iran failed to agree on security and logistics. Stampede of 2015 was cited by the Saudi Government as a reason for this measure.
Private Hajj Organizers from Pakistan, book Hajj Packages on first come first basis. Same will be the case for Private Hajj Packages 2020 from Pakistan. In case of reduction of Quota, Private Hajj Organizers will choose the potential hujjaj who registered their interest first and will have to refund money for those Hujjaj who they are not able to take with them due to the reduction of Quota. If you plan to go for Hajj in 2020, it is advisable to register your interest sooner than later, inorder to ensure your seat is saved in the Hajj Group.
It was initially expected that the temporary ban on Umrah will be lifted by Mid of April. But with new events coming to light, earlier assumptions of Umrah Commencing by March End / Mid-April are not looking likely.
Some industry experts believe that Umrah might not be allowed for international travellers for the rest of the season with some saying it might open for Ramadan 2020 if things settle down in the next 15 days.
. Kindly note confirmation about any of this cannot be provided until Saudi Government provides further details. However it is advised to not book any Umrah Packages until there is more clarity on the provided by the Saudi Government.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on March 19th, 2020
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that mosques would no longer be open for the customary five daily prayers or Friday congregations, an unprecedented move to limit the spread of the corona-virus which has infected 171 people in the kingdom. Prayers will only continue at the two holy mosques in Mecca (Masjid Al Haram) and Medina (Masjid Nabwi), the holiest places in Islam, state news agency SPA reported, citing the kingdom’s top clerical body.
Mosques will temporarily close their doors but will continue to issue the ritual call to prayer (Adhan | Azan), which will direct people to pray in their homes rather than come to the mosque.
Saudi Arabia has been swift to take drastic steps to try and slow down the spread of the virus, including suspending the Umrah pilgrimage, halting international flights, and closing schools and most public establishments.
The kingdom previously suspended work for government employees, except in the health, military and security sectors.
The central bank said it had activated business continuity plans and work-from-home measures for financial institutions. The Council of Ministers postponed its regular meetings for two weeks, media reported.
It is looking increasingly likely that Saudi Government may reduce Hajj Quota of different countries in an effort to manage the spread of virus. If this is the case then the over all Hajj Quota from Pakistan may be reduced and hence Quota of Private Hajj Organizers will also be brought down from its original level. This means that the availability of Private Hajj Packages for 2020 in Pakistan will go down. Kindly note, this is just a likely scenario and confirmation for this can not be provided until things settle down.
Posted by ibdat@dmin in Hajj Info Guidance on March 13th, 2020
Ibadat Hajj Desk | Karachi: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious affairs on Thursday announced balloting results of Government Hajj Applicants (successful applicants will travel for Hajj on government scheme later this year).
According to some news sources (like The Express Tribune) Hajj balloting this year saw lesser number applications than last year because of the fears over coronavirus.
However, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri refuted this claim. And we believe he was right in doing so.
If you analyse previous year’s figures of Government Hajj Applications, you will notice a sharp decline in numbers after Hajj 2018.
This is mainly attributed to sharp increase in government Hajj Package prices, which increased by approximately 40% after PTI government took charge. Hajj price increase was a result massive decline in Pakistani Rupee’s value (Read more: Impact of Exchange Rate Fluctuation on Hajj Package Price) .
Furthermore, sever economic downturn in the country over the past two years, has diminished the capability of masses to pay for this religious obligation (which is not deemed mandatory for people who don’t have the financial capacity to undertake the holy journey).
This year, a total 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj, including 107,526 under the government scheme and 71,684 under private scheme. This is the current allocated quota however there are fears that if the ongoing pandemic is not brought under control in a couple of months, Saudi Government might reduce quota in an effort to battle the virus.
It remains to be seen if such a measure will be taken or not and if so, in what proportion quota will be reduced between Private Hajj Organizer’s and Government.
Mr Noorul Haq Qadri, Religious Affairs Minister, has urged people not to spread rumours.
“We all have faith that there will be no epidemic in holy cities of Makkah and Medina,” he said. “We are in touch with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and they have assured that they would take us into confidence before making any decision”.
A total of 86,765 intending pilgrims were picked through general balloting out of 149,295 applicants. Last year, the ministry had received 216,623 applications from across the country, while total quota of Pakistani pilgrims was 184,210.
Under the government scheme, 86,765 were selected through the ballot, while 18,648 was declared successful without balloting. A total of 10,000 spaces were allotted to the aspiring pilgrims, who are 70-year-old or above. A total of 12,840 applications were received from 70-plus aspirants. The remaining 2,840 has been included in general balloting.
Those selected without balloting included 7,648 people who failed on three previous occasions. Also a quota of 1,000 had been allocated to the overseas Pakistanis. There have been 1,286 applications from overseas Pakistanis – 286 applications given a chance at the general draw.
Government Hajj applicants were being informed about their success or failure via SMS, while the ballot results would be uploaded on the ministry’s website: mora.gov.pk; and hajjinfo.org.
The successful applicants are required to submit medical certificate to their relevant bank branches by March 19.
The date and time of biometric from Etimad Centres will be announced soon. The unsuccessful applicants could get their money back from their relevant bank branch from Friday according to information provided by MORA.
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