Saudi govt likely to decide on this year’s Hajj today

RIYADH (92 News) – The Saudi government is likely to decide on this year’s Hajj on June 15. A strategy for the Pakistan's intending pilgrims will be devised according to the decision of the Saudi government. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has directed the Pakistani officials in Saudi Arabia to prepare for any emergency situation. Sources said that the Saudi government is considering different proposals. “Saudi Arabia will consult some big Islamic countries before issuing the final policy,” they disclosed. Saudi Arabia, according to the sources, is discussing a proposal to abolish 80 percent quota of all big Islamic countries and allow only delegations to perform Hajj this year. They said that the authorities are also considering another proposal to allow only the Saudi nationals to perform Hajj this year. On the other hand, Indonesia has decided not to send its citizens on Hajj this year. The decision has been made keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic. On May 31, Saudi Arabia reopened the doors of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah as the Kingdom continued with its phased plan to ease coronavirus restrictions. Worshippers entered Masjid-e-Nabawi for group prayers with a limit of 40% capacity, starting from Fajr prayers. The government has issued precautionary measures including the removal of carpets from the mosque grounds, so that worshipers pray on the marble floors and has asked people to wear face masks, practice social distancing while praying in congregation and to bring their own prayer mats to the holy mosque.