Russian pilgrims will be able to travel to the shrines of Islam as early as 2021 if the WHO recognizes Russian vaccines against coronavirus, the deputy chairman of the Russian Civic сhamber's commission on harmonization of interethnic and interreligious relations and chairman of the Spiritual assembly of Russian Muslims mufti Albir Krganov said on Tuesday.
"Today there are discussions to open the possibility of Hajj. In a few days we all are waiting with great hope for the WHO decision to accept our vaccines and issue an international certificate - then it will be possible to perform Hajj with them. Now, if the WHO decides on the vaccine, there is a good chance that people will be able to visit (Saudi Arabia) even this year," the mufti said at a press conference at the Russia Today news agency.
Saudi Arabia, he noted, has now eased restrictions because the vast majority of the population there has been vaccinated and the threat of a new outbreak of coronavirus in the country has receded.
In August, Saudi Arabia began accepting requests from foreign pilgrims to perform umrah (lesser pilgrimage). Authorities have allowed airports to operate without any capacity restrictions related to COVID-19 starting October 17. They will also not require a social distance for those vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses. For those fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, distance is waived in all venues, including restaurants and cafes, and they can attend weddings and other events with any number of people. The wearing of masks in the open air is abolished, except in a few cases, but there is a need to wear them indoors.
Hajj, an obligatory pilgrimage to the holy shrines of Islam in Mecca and Medina, is performed only in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah ("month of pilgrimage") according to the Muslim lunar calendar. Also, adherents of Islam can perform umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, at other times of the year. However, according to the dogma, umrah is not a substitute for hajj.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti