Haj plans hang in balance due to coronavirus scare

Pilgrimage was scheduled for July, August

The annual Haj hangs in the balance as fears about the Covid-19 plague the world. This year the Haj is due to take place in July and August and as the spread of the virus shows no signs of abating, many people fear that the Saudi authorities if they don’t cancel the Haj, may reduce the number of pilgrims who visit the holy cities of Mecca and Madina. More than two million people, which includes two lakh Indians, perform the Haj every year.

Tour operators are not sure if they will get sufficient visas for the Haj this year. People who use private tour operators may have to cancel their planned Haj if Saudi authorities cut down the number of Haj pilgrims allowed, as tour operators will increase the cost.

An unexpected ban on Umrah and visit visas by Saudi authorities in the wake of Covid-19 has disrupted the plans of thousands of faithful ahead of the fasting month of Ramzan.

Pilgrimage planners are worried about the travel restrictions by the host countries of sacred places due to Covid-19 as these countries have imposed a blanket ban on entry of foreign citizens without saying for how long it will be in place. Tour operators are thus unable to plan the pilgrimage schedule for the holy month of Ramzan.

During Ramzan more than 5,000 Muslims visit Saudi Arabia every year. There are many families in Hyderabad who spend a few days in the two holy cities and are unsure whether they can do so this time. Tour operators are not collecting passports from their clients as they are not sure when the Saudi authorities will revoke the ban on Umrah visas.

Habeeb Abdul Quader of Bismillah Travels said, “We are not in a position to say anything at this juncture. Saudi authorities may reduce the number of Haj pilgrims.”

He said it’s not just the usual businesses and industries that have been severely affected by the Covid-19, the international religious economy too has been affected as hundreds of intending Umrah pilgrims have deplaned and no pilgrimages can be planned with any certainty.

● TOUR OPERATORS are not sure if they will get sufficient visas for the Haj this year

● AN UNEXPECTED ban on Umrah and visit visas by Saudi authorities in the wake of Covid-19 has disrupted the plans of thousands of faithful ahead of the fasting month of Ramzan