More international bodies welcome Saudi decision
Islamic scholars and authorities in many countries have welcomed the decision by Saudi
Arabia to allow only a “very limited” number of pilgrims to perform Hajj this year, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Islamic Arab Society of Cordoba province in Argentina said: “This decision has many implications at this time when the pandemic is still spreading in the world with no vaccine, so it is imperative to take preventive measures to preserve public health and the lives of people.”
The society praised the Kingdom for all its efforts to protect pilgrims from the risks posed by the coronavirus crisis.
Dr. Shahid Mahdi, the director of Denmark’s Islamic Institute, said that suspending Umrah and limiting access to the Prophet’s Mosque were important precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, and the decision to severely restrict the number of pilgrims performing Hajj will save Muslim lives.
The Kenya Council of Imams and Ulema said it supported the decision, which will preserve Muslims’ souls and protect them from the coronavirus. The council’s statement included a prayer to the “Almighty to maintain the Kingdom, its leadership and its people against any mischief and harm, and to fend off the evil of this pandemic, saving the entire world, sooner rather than later.”
Ismail Usa, the president of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Gabon, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia over the decision, and praised the efforts being made by the Kingdom to preserve the sanctuaries of Islam and Muslims. The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Ethiopia also backed the Hajj restrictions. It said the decision reflects the determination of the Saudi government to hold the ritual in a safe and healthy manner to protect public health and safety. The Islamic Translations Office in Niger praised the authorities in Saudi Arabia for recognizing the dangers posed by the pandemic and taking swift action to suspend Umrah and visits to the Prophet’s Mosque to limit the spread of the virus. With the virus still posing a serious danger worldwide, it added, the decision to limit Hajj was a wise one.
The Republic of Chad’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs also backed the actions of the Saudi authorities, as did Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Fakhr Al-Razi, who said his country supports the decision to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The Head of the Islamic Center of Chile, Kamel Soufan, praised The Kingdom for the measures it has taken in light of the continuing risks posed by the pandemic, and the lack of vaccine or cure for those who who contract COVID-19.
The Supreme Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs in Cote d’Ivoire also praised the Saudi decision, which it said was designed to protect health and safety.
Tanzania’s General Mufti Abubaker bin Alzubair bin Ali added his support for what he described as the noble efforts of authorities in the Kingdom for the benefit of pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque. It was wise to protect lives by preventing large gatherings that could cause the disease to spread, he added.
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We pray to the Almighty to maintain the Kingdom, its leadership as well as its people, against any
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The decision reflects the keenness of the Saudi government to