Bruneians Can Perform Hajj, Umrah Next Year, Government Says
The minister of religious affairs, Badaruddin Pengarah DP Hj Othman, announced this at a COVID-19 press briefing on Monday.
He said intending pilgrims must seek permission from the Prime Minister’s Office before making their journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
He added that the annual Hajj pilgrimage — which falls next July — will only proceed once the Saudi government has given the green light.
The decision to restart Hajj and Umrah comes after the Saudi government announced that fully vaccinated foreign pilgrims aged 12 and more can now perform the year-round Umrah.
Brunei had cancelled the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage for two straight years due to safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020.
In July this year, the Hajj pilgrimage — a requirement for all able-bodied Muslims — was limited to 60,000 vaccinated people from inside Saudi Arabia.
Before the pandemic struck, more than 2 million Muslims gathered in the two holy cities to perform Hajj rituals.
Saudi Arabia is currently not one of the four countries included in the Brunei government’s green travel list. This means that travelers to Saudi Arabia will not be eligible for quarantine exemptions during their return to the sultanate.
YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin said the Hajj Affairs Department and travel agencies can now make early preparations while waiting for the Saudi government’s decision to resume Hajj for Brunei pilgrims.
“The number of pilgrims will be determined at a later date, subject to specific considerations, especially our readiness and ability in handling pilgrims’ health while they are in the holy land,” he added.
The government of Brunei has appointed six travel agencies to operate Hajj and Umrah package services for three years from 2021.
Source: thescoop.co
