The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), in consultation with Singapore's Ministry of Health, has taken prevailing challenges into consideration and decided that as a responsible stakeholder, it is only prudent for Singapore to defer its Hajj 2020 plans for the 900 pilgrims expected to travel this year.
These pilgrims have been automatically rescheduled to go on the Hajj in 2021 instead. Muis will send letters to the affected pilgrims on the details on the deferment of Hajj 2020, and the next steps they should take.
"As of today, KSA has not made an official announcement on the status of Hajj pilgrimage for 2020," Muis noted in an online statement on 15 May.
The organisation explained that the numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths on a daily basis remain high around the world, with the real possibility of further waves of transmission.
"The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely curtailed our mobility to travel, and this will remain so for some time. There remain many uncertainties regarding the spread and impact of COVID-19 on infected patients. The government has issued a travel advisory against travel abroad which remains in force," said Muis.
With the annual Hajj traditionally involving some 2.5 million people from all over the world congregating in Makkah, KSA, Singaporean pilgrims risk contracting the virus if they should participate, Muis said.
According to Muis, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of KSA issued an advisory in March to Hajj agencies around the world to stop taking on new reservations or payments with respect to Hajj in 2020. Saudia Airlines, KSA's national carrier, also announced the suspension of all international flights until further notice.
"We have full confidence in KSA’s management of the pandemic, and that appropriate measures will be put in place should Hajj proceed. However, Singapore has its own considerations to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Singaporean pilgrims.
"More than 80% of Singaporeans who are scheduled to perform Hajj this year are above the age of 50. The Ministry of Health advised that this category of individuals face a greater risk of complications and mortality if they contract the COVID-19 virus.
"In addition, younger pilgrims who are working have expressed challenges in obtaining leave to perform the Hajj and concerns over their job security, given the challenging economic situation. This is compounded by the fact that Singaporean travellers must serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice upon their return to Singapore," Muis stated.
The organisation shared that pilgrims have already approached Haj General Service Agents (GSA) in Singapore as they need to make personal, family and work arrangements in the coming months. "In past years, pilgrims would usually have made payment and secured their travel arrangements and accommodation before the month of Ramadhan. However, with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to adequately prepare logistical and administrative requirements for the pilgrimage," Muis said.
Singapore’s healthcare resources are currently fully committed to managing COVID-19 and other pressing hospital requirements. This has also meant that Muis cannot assemble a medical team to support this year’s Hajj delegation.
"The absence of such a medical team will compromise the health and well-being of our pilgrims," Muis added.
"While we want to help our Muslim community to fulfil their pilgrimage, we also have a responsibility to protect the pilgrims and their families, as well as the wider community in Singapore, from the risk of infection."
The Fatwa Committee has convened to discuss the matter and supports the decision for the deferment of Hajj for Singaporean pilgrims to the following year for reasons of their health and safety. The Committee said that in the current context, not all the preconditions for a safe Hajj are met, and therefore, they recommend that the Singapore delegation defer its Hajj plans in order to avoid potential harm. A fatwa has been issued accordingly.
Given Singapore’s circumstances, the Association of Muslim Travel Agents (AMTAS) Taskforce fully supports Muis’ decision to defer the Singapore delegation to Hajj 2021 as well. Muis will continue to work together with AMTAS and its members on ways to minimise the impact of a deferment on AMTAS members as well as Singapore pilgrims.
Should pilgrims have any clarifications, they can contact their respective GSAs or the Muis hotline at +65 6350 5369.
As of 15 May, more than 4.2 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, resulting in more than 290,000 deaths.