Few months to the 2021 hajj pilgrimage, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has barred intending pilgrims from Nigeria and other countries of the world from performing hajj this year.
The government said only those residing in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to perform hajj this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saudi authorities announced this in a statement on Saturday, June 12, 2021,
The statement said the country will allow only 60,000 vaccinated residents of the kingdom to perform the annual hajj.
The statement reads: “In the light of what the world is witnessing with the continuing developments of the pandemic Covid-19, and the emergence of new variations, Hajj 1442 will be limited to the residents and citizens from within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia only — (60,000).”
In the meantime, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reacted to the cancellation of the 2021 Hajj for foreign pilgrims by authorities in Saudi Arabia over COVID-19 pandemic.
NAHCON Head of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, in a statement on Saturday on behalf of Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, said the commission “respects the decision of Saudi Arabia in this regard no matter how painful that decision may be to us and to intending pilgrims worldwide.”
She added that “NAHCON Chairman commends the resilience of Nigerian intending pilgrims and the support they have shown in this long and tortuous wait. The Chairman is particularly impressed and humbled by the level of support and respect displayed by, evidenced by their adherence to each instruction given by the Commission.”
The statement signed by the NAHCON Head of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara on behalf of the Commission chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, fully reads:
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has received news of the cancellation of Hajj for international pilgrims for the 2021 season. The Commission’s officials in Saudi Arabia have confirmed that state television and radio stations in the Kingdom have announced the news.”
“NAHCON respects the decision of Saudi Arabia in this regard no matter how painful that decision may be to us and to intending pilgrims worldwide. We have accepted that it is Allah’s divine design that multitudes will again this year not perform the Hajj: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is only playing out a script ordained by our Maker long before creation of the universe. Our prayer is that we collectively turn to Him in repentance so that He admits us for Hajj in the coming years.”
“One of the lessons from these two years’ cancellation of Hajj for foreign pilgrims is in the Prophet’s hadith urging Muslims to perform Hajj while they can before they are prevented from doing so. Again, it impresses on us that it is only Allah that selects those who will be His guests for Hajj. May we not be deprived of Allah’s mercy. May we be among those who will be chosen to perform Allah’s worship in future.”
“At this juncture, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan commends the resilience of Nigerian intending pilgrims and the support they have shown in this long and tortuous wait. The Chairman is particularly impressed and humbled by the level of support and respect displayed by, evidenced by their adherence to each instruction given by the Commission. An example is the total compliance in receiving Covid-19 jab with the hope of performing the 2021 Hajj. Equally, the Commission appreciates cooperation of States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in its decision-making processes.”
“As in the previous year, those pilgrims who request for refund of their Hajj deposits will be granted such without unnecessary delay.”
“As for those who would still wish to roll-over their funds, the Commission strongly urges them to wait for further advice and decisions by the board.”
“Finally the Chairman assures stakeholders of NAHCON’s open door policy and cooperation. Consultations will be held with all Hajj managers on the way forward in the nearest future. This will be communicated to them in due course.”