Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei not attending Hajj this year

Photo of the Kaaba. Hajj was previously cancelled in 967 AD owing to a plague outbreak. Photo: Dhaka Tribune. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

DHAKA, Jun 13, 2020, Dhaka Tribune. Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei have decided not to partake in Hajj this year in Saudi Arabia as the world struggles to handle the coronavirus pandemic, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Confirming the matter, Bangladesh Hajj Mission Councillor Maksudur Rahman said they are continuously keeping contact with the Saudi government and other concerned organizations, reports UNB.

Some other countries, including Nigeria, would also take final decision over the matter if the Saudi government fails to decide over holding the largest congregation of Muslims within next few days, he said.

Brunei’s decision was published the Borneo Bulletin newspaper.

According to the report, Brunei has cancelled preparation for upcoming Hajj despite pilgrims having registered earlier, as the Saudi government has failed to take any decision.

Moreover, Malaysian Hajj Mission Chief Councillor Mohammad Shayemi said no pilgrim from Malaysia will attend Hajj this year.

Not many days are left before the annual religious event, scheduled to be attended by millions of Muslims in late July this year.

‘Bangladesh fully prepared’

Religious Affairs State Minister Advocate Sheikh Abdullah, on Thursday, said if Saudi Arabia informs Bangladesh about their decision, Dhaka would take its decision after consulting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We’re fully prepared,” he said.

According to the Religious Affairs Ministry, 137,198 Bangladeshis were scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year—17,198 under government and 120,000 under non-government management.

However, only 64,594 people have registered—3,457 under government and 61,594 under private management.

The Hajj registration process was completed on April 30 after the extension of the deadline several times.

Earlier on February 24, the Cabinet approved the draft Hajj Package 2020, fixing the minimum cost for an intending pilgrim at Tk3.15 lakh under Package 3 managed by the government.

In March, the Saudi government directed to suspend all Hajj activities.

The Hajj pilgrimage is expected to begin on July 30 (9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah) this year, depending on moon sighting.

There are reports saying the first time an epidemic of any kind caused Hajj to be cancelled was a plague outbreak in the year 967.

Furthermore, drought and famine caused the Fatimid ruler to cancel overland Hajj routes in 1048, reports AP.

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