Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 22/06/2020
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, welcomed the announcement made by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to organize Hajj this year under strict health precautions. This shall be for a limited number of pilgrims from among only nationals and residents of Saudi Arabia to ensure the safe performance of the rites and protection of all pilgrims against the threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as indicated in the Ministry's statement.
In his statement, the Secretary General supported the decision of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which is in line with all precautionary and preventive measures taken by the Kingdom, the OICGeneral Secretariat headquarters’ host country, since the outbreak of the pandemic. "These measures have effectively reduced the negative effects of COVID-19 and stemmed its spread," said Al-Othaimeenvaluing the utmost care that Saudi Arabia attaches to the health and safety of the pilgrims. "This has always been the approach of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques since Allah honoured it with serving the Two Holy Mosques," added Al-Othaimeen noting the huge expansions of the holy sites and great capabilities of Saudi Arabia that enable it to organize Hajj under the severestconditions.
The Secretary-General indicated that the organization of the Hajj this year places Saudi Arabia in front of a great humanitarian and legal responsibility."Preservation of life is one of the essential priorities in the objectives of Shariah. This made the Kingdom take strict decisions and procedures in line with the current health conditions, established jurisprudential rules, and legal licenses that Allah Almighty has enacted for His worshippers when it is difficult for them to perform acts of worship or rituals," elaborated Al-Othaimeen.
The Secretary General added that a large proportion of the pilgrims are usually elderly people who face the highest risk under the current conditions if theycome to Hajj, noting that some Islamic countries announced they would not send their citizens for Hajjthis year for fear of their safety.
The OIC Secretary General concluded his statement by affirming the OIC's support for the decision taken by the government of Saudi Arabia to preserve Muslims' safety and health.
It is worth noting that the closing statement of the OIC's emergency meeting held at the level of foreign ministers on COVID-19 on April 22, 2020, valued the efforts made by Member States and their religious leaders to prevent the spread of the pandemic and protect lives, including the temporary closure of mosques and places of worship. In the same context, it supported the measures taken regarding the Two Holy Mosques and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and all additional measures Member States would adopt as a top priority necessitated by Sharia.It stressed the importance of the timely decision taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to suspend Umrah and visits to the Prophet’s Mosque.
In the same context, the fourth recommendation of the virtual second Islamic Medical JurisprudentialSymposium of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy on COVID-19 held on April 16, 2020, indicates: “States and governments may restrict individual freedom for the exigencies of the public good, including preventing entry to or exit from cities. It is also necessary to adhere to the decisions of states and governments on social distancing to contain the virus and prevent its spread. The objective of the ruler's decisions is always the best interests of the people according to the relevant Sharia rules."
