The Council of Muftis of Russia (CMR) has urged Muslims to allocate funds, released due to the cancellation of the Hajj for foreign pilgrims in 2021, to help the needy and the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The Hajj, an obligatory pilgrimage for every Muslim to the shrines of Islam in Mecca and Medina, takes place only in the month of Zul-Hijjah according to the Muslim lunar calendar. This year's Hajj will take place from July 17 to 22. Muslims can also make the umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, at other times of the year, but according to Muslim doctrine, the umrah does not replace the hajj.
"The Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation fully supports the wise decision of the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to limit the hajj in 2021 to a small number of pilgrims from among the citizens of their country and foreigners currently residing on its territory. This measure is necessary because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic around the world. <...> In this regard, we appeal to all Muslims in Russia with understanding to take temporary restrictions and to direct the released funds and time to help the needy and the suffering, doctors and scientists in the fight against this terrible plague of the XXI century, "- said in a message from the website of the CMR.
The CMR expressed hope that joint efforts and patiently accepting the forced temporary restrictions will soon yield results and Muslims will once again be able to perform collective rituals without hindrance.
Earlier, Rushan Abbyasov, deputy chairman of the CMR, told RIA Novosti that the Saudi authorities' decision to restrict access to the Hajj for pilgrims not residing in the kingdom was expected, but Russian pilgrims have the option to refund money, or postpone the trip and not surrender their vouchers.
Saudi Arabia, for fear of the spread of the coronavirus, has allowed only Muslims living in the kingdom, numbering no more than 60,000, to perform the Hajj this year. Last year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, Muslim pilgrims from abroad could not take part in the Hajj for the first time and only 10,000 Muslims living in the country were selected for the Hajj.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti