Saudi Arabia advises Muslims to defer Haj plans

E-Paper | March 13, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Haj minister asked Muslims on Tuesday to temporarily defer preparations for Haj amid uncertainty over the pandemic.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended Umrah over fears of the new coronavirus.

“Saudi Arabia is fully ready to serve pilgrims,” Haj minister Mohammad Benten told the state-run Al Ekhbariya television.

“But under the current circumstances, as we are talking about the global pandemic [...] the kingdom is keen to protect the health of Muslims and citizens and so we have asked our brother Muslims in all countries to wait before doing Haj contracts until the situation is clear.”

Saudi authorities have yet to announce whether they will proceed with this year’s Haj.

Haj, which last year attracted 2.5 million people, is a key revenue earner for Saudi Arabia.

The government is scrambling to limit the spread of the disease at home. The health ministry has reported 1,563 coronavirus infections and 10 deaths from the illness so far.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2020

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Javed

Apr 01, 2020 08:55am

The Saudi Govt. should arrange for a token Hajj contingent from its citizens.

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Muqali Khan

Apr 01, 2020 08:59am

Muslims should heed the warning, don't flaunt with danger.

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L.Ahmad

Apr 01, 2020 09:01am

If its not safe to travel then don't go, very sound advise.

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Sajad Ahmed

Apr 01, 2020 09:08am

Really feeling sad

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Faisal R

Apr 01, 2020 09:48am

@Javed, even in these times you are more concerned about hajj than human lives.

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Ali

Apr 01, 2020 09:49am

Wise & very good decision

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Joe

Apr 01, 2020 09:50am

I was reading comments that in India Modi government is going after Muslims just because they are gatherings for praying in Mosque. Now let us see which country, forget individuals can go against what SA has said. No Haj gatherings as of now.

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Fida

Apr 01, 2020 09:51am

Very wise decision on the part of Saudi government. Irrespective of how the situation develops. This year Haj has to be cancelled to save people from this killer virus.

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Ron

Apr 01, 2020 09:59am

Very wise decision from Saudi government

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khurram

Apr 01, 2020 10:11am

It is a strong argument to say that haj this year wouldn't be performed by millions but a few thousands while seeing the pandemic still at rise in the near future.

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tarik

Apr 01, 2020 10:11am

Give in charity instead to help the poor & those who are in need.

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ASH from TN, USA

Apr 01, 2020 10:34am

@Javed, Are its citizens immune from Covid-19 infection or you do not care if Saudis get infected?

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Chris Dann

Apr 01, 2020 10:49am

@Sajad Ahmed, donate this money for humanity in time of need and be happy. You may save some valuable lives.

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Saim

Apr 01, 2020 10:57am

This year they'd rather just serve the local population and not invite any expats. The Hajj goes through and hopefully no medical losses.

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Syed A. Mateen

Apr 01, 2020 10:57am

Looking at the circumstances going beyond means of the governments in 200 countries including Saudi Arabia it is likely that Saudi Government in view of the pandemic may not allow people from different nations to perform Hajj in 2020. The perception that Hajj may not take place is wrong. What one can foresee is that Hajj will take place with little number of local people subject to health clearance of each and every local individual by keeping social distancing. Due to spread of coronavirus every sort of social and religious gathering has been differed whether it was olympics in Japan which was scheduled to take place in 2020 or weekly Juma prayers in Pakistan as a matter of precautionary measures so that more people should not get affected due to local transmission. People who planned to go to Saudi Arabia from Muslim countries should not lose their heart and wait for the next year as by then coronavirus must have gone from the world. Keep us the high hopes and stay healthy.

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Moeazze

Apr 01, 2020 11:00am

Sure will hurt the feelings of a lot of people but is the right precation under the prevailing circumstances.

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Facts Matter

Apr 01, 2020 11:07am

@Javed, absolutely no travel please. This is not the time play with fate and your life.

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Ijaz

Apr 01, 2020 11:21am

A very sad day, but Muslims should remember: if they have made the intention (niyyah), then they will get the rewards even if they can't travel. Secondly, Saudi should be unequivocal and prevent overseas hajis. I cannot see the situation significantly improving by late July. Thirdly haj had must go ahead even if it is with a handful of local people. Finally, my condolences to those who made the intention to travel this year. Perhaps they may want to buy two ventilators to save lives instead.

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Irtaza M. Awan

Apr 01, 2020 11:30am

@Javed, completely agree brother. There should not be a blanket cancellation but a small hajj must take place.

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Ahsan Gul

Apr 01, 2020 11:35am

Muslims around the world must help KSA on Hajj issue by not going their and instead helping their own people and communities.

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Faketrack

Apr 01, 2020 11:50am

I hope fatwa from egypt is not needed to persuade pakistani government to implement this.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Apr 01, 2020 12:24pm

It appears, over two million people from all over the world are likely to miss 2020 hajj because of infectious Covid-19 virus. Is this virus a calamity or 'Ahs' of innocent people's been answered because they were forcefully oppressed through wars and other ways to achieve hidden political goals? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand this! (Note: I regularly advocate my impartial views against injustice, inequality, oppression and nepotism without supporting any of the political parties. My family, country and people's well-being are far more important to me than anything else - be aware of fake ID's!).

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Parvez

Apr 01, 2020 12:30pm

This should not be an advice ... because it will not be heeded by the majority....it should be an order because that is what we understand.

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Maddy

Apr 01, 2020 12:41pm

Money will be save by Indians and Pakistanis

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Ruhail

Apr 01, 2020 12:53pm

@Chris Dann, very well said highly appreciated comment.

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Aamir Hussain

Apr 01, 2020 01:00pm

Saudi Arabia is lucky from decades. They have oil as well as religious tourism. And they are earning more from religious tourism.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 01, 2020 01:21pm

Does that mean good bye to Hajj this year due to rapidly expanding and evergrowing coronavirus pandemic?

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Atif

Apr 01, 2020 02:41pm

In difficulty Muslims should pray more.

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Azeem

Apr 01, 2020 05:29pm

But is this pandemic is so serious, so that we will not do Hajj. I am just thinking what is cooking.....

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Omar

Apr 01, 2020 05:41pm

Coronavirus is here to stay. That means no more praying in mosques, no more Umrah and no more Haj.

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Faiz

Apr 01, 2020 06:00pm

@Javed, locals could get infected too.

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Zeeshdxb

Apr 01, 2020 06:17pm

Why dont they let people and residents from uae perform hajj this season

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Adnan Bashir

Apr 01, 2020 07:17pm

Strict Arrangement should be made prior Hajj. No reason to suspend long before.

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Umar Jan

Apr 01, 2020 07:21pm

@Javed, then it should be for every muslim all over the world because, we deserve all our religious rights. Saudi Govt has to arrange something for this year.

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Khan

Apr 01, 2020 07:26pm

@Faiz, Test a small number of local people who are fit medically and free of Covid 19: those lucky fortune can perform Hajj this year.

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Alla Bux

Apr 01, 2020 08:48pm

@Khan , Forget Hajj. If S Arabia says no, it is no. End of discussion.

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Chacha Jee

Apr 01, 2020 08:49pm

At least no Haj complaints this year.

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tarik

Apr 01, 2020 09:48pm

@Javed, why?

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Love Your Country

Apr 01, 2020 11:59pm

@tarik, - there is at least one famous example in history where a wise man did exactly the same half way in his journey. We will have needy people not too far from our houses but who will educate us on those lines is the real issue in Pak land.

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Love Your Country

Apr 02, 2020 12:01am

Sadly a section of our society disagrees with everything that comes from KSA govt/scholars.

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wasim

Apr 02, 2020 02:55am

Hand in Glove...!

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wasim

Apr 02, 2020 03:05am

Where was the Kingdom when Baghdad was carpet bombed, Syrians were being killed and their cities were being turned into ruins, Kashmir was being turned into world's biggest jail, when Israel locked up West Bank and went on a killing spree of Palestinians. I wish they had advised and stood by the Muslims at that time as well.

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Azam Jan

Apr 02, 2020 03:13am

@Javed, why is it so difficult to understand the grave situation ahead?

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Ali Shaharpour

Apr 02, 2020 03:20am

@Javed, jump in a leaky boat and you will drown. Don't take corona lightly, its is pandemic.

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abdul Quadir

Apr 02, 2020 05:54am

@Atif, pray and practice social distancing and clean hygiene.

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Tamza

Apr 02, 2020 07:12am

Advises? Sure - try showing up at Madina airport for haj

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Bagchi Da

Apr 02, 2020 07:57am

@joe read the news completely. It was not for offering prayer. But that congregation had many covid 19 infected devotees who did not observe govt rules of isolation. This is now snowballing and could be out of control. This was such an irresponsible venture at this hour.

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fareed

Apr 02, 2020 08:50am

If I spend my this years hajj money to help poor needy or save someones life will be my greatest hajj.

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