The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Alfred Lahai has disclosed on Wednesday July 8, 2020 that, the Ministry is “in receipt of a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formally communicating the suspension of the 2020 Hajj edition”.
Lahai said in a statement that was issued by the Ministry of Social Welfare that, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has arrived at this decision as a result of the persistence of COVID-19 pandemic with a view to taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims, and to limit the spread of the scourge that has gripped the entire global community.
“In place of the regular Hajj process, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided that Hajj be performed by a limited number of people among its citizens and expatriates residing in the kingdom,” the Ministry said.
Permanent Secretary said that the Ministry of Social Welfare, as the coordinating mechanism for all religious affairs in the country, will continue to engage the Ministry of Hajj Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and would inform the general public of any further development accordingly.
By Stephen V. Lansana