Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Due to the fear of Covid-19, Malaysia refuses to send the citizens for this years Hajj pilgrimage.
The decision was made based on the briefings by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Lembaga Tabung Haji and the Special Muzakarah Committee Meeting of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs.
At the news conference held today, the Religious Affairs Minister of Malaysia Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri disclosed that it was a difficult decision to make as Hajj is extremely important for the Muslims. However he hopes that the pilgrims would continue to be patient and accept the decision.
“Performing the Hajj pilgrimage, which is the fifth pillar of Islam, is closely linked to the capability of performing the pilgrimage in terms of health, safety, permission to travel to the Holy Land as well as finance. Without the capability in the matters mentioned, it is not obligatory to perform the pilgrimage.”, Zulkifli stated.
Furthermore, he also stated that as no cure has been found for the Covid-19 virus up to date, everyone must stay away from things that may cause possible harm to themselves or to the ones nearby.
Apart from Malaysia, another Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has also refused to allow the citizens to take part in this years Hajj Pilgrimage due to the virus.
While Saudi Arabia has not made an official statement regarding this years Hajj, on April they informed other countries to not prepare for Hajj until further notice.
