Pakistani Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has said Saudi Arabia has not announced the Hajj policy for 2021 yet.
He added that “Pakistan keeps complete arrangements to send limited pilgrims for Hajj.”
In an exclusive interview with an international media outlet, the minister said the Pakistan government is in contact with Saudi authorities and they also wanted to take major Muslim countries in confidence before the final decision.
Saudi Arabia is making strict SOPs to check the spread of the COVID-19 during Hajj and Pakistan will guarantee the implementation of imposed restrictions.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia allowed 60,000 foreigners from across the globe including Pakistan to perform Hajj this year.
Special Representative to the Prime Minister connected Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi confirmed on social media.
Allama Tahir Ashrafi turned to Twitter and wrote, “60,000 people could perform Hajj this year”.
"The pilgrims must have to follow the coronavirus related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)," he added.
ان شاء الله اس سال ٦٠ هزار حجاج حج كرسكين گے كرونا ويكسين لگوانى هوگى اور مكمل احتياطى تدابير پر عمل كرنا هوگا
— TahirMahmoodAshrafi حافظ محمد طاهراشرفى (@TahirAshrafi) May 22, 2021
Earlier, Saudi officials stated that only people immunized against COVID-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round Umrah pilgrimage.
The Minister hoped that Pakistan will also get a quota for the 45,000 international pilgrims. He said intending pilgrims of the age group from 18 to 60 years will be allowed to perform Hajj this year and they have to present a fitness certificate of good health.
He said an authentic COVID vaccine certificate and PCR negative test will be mandatory.
The Minister said Pakistan has requested the Saudi Government to approve China made anti-Covid vaccine as well to facilitate Pakistani intending pilgrims.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement that only immunized people will be granted permits to perform Umrah as well as prayers in the Grand Mosque.
Usually, an estimated two million people visit Makkah and Madinah for the annual gathering of Hajj. However, amid the coronavirus outbreak, only a limited number were allowed to perform Hajj.
In normal times the pilgrimage is one of the most significant moments in the Muslim religious calendar.
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