The Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Ceremonies (CRA) under the Government of Tajikistan is waiting for permission from the Standing Committee on COVID-19 Response of Tajikistan for performance of Umrah pilgrimage.
“Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia accepts vaccinated foreign visitors to the holy city of Mecca as part of the Umrah pilgrimage, we are waiting for permission from the Standing Committee on COVID-19 Response of Tajikistan for performance of Umrah pilgrimage,” said Muqim Afshin, a spokesman for the CRA, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, preparatory work on sending Tajik citizens on Umrah pilgrimage is under way, but they are waiting for permission from the Standing Committee on COVID-19 Response.
Afshin says dozens of people wishing to perform the Umrah pilgrimage apply to the Committee every day
The CRA spokesman could not answer the question, what is the reason for the delay in permission from the Standing Committee on COVID-19 Response.
As far as the Standing Committee on COVID-19 Response is concerned, it has neither press center nor representative for communication with media.
It is to be noted that fully vaccinated pilgrims with Saudi-approved vaccines – Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson – will be allowed to enter the kingdom.
The BBC reported in August that Saudi Arabia has begun accepting vaccinated foreign visitors to the holy city of Mecca as part of the Umrah pilgrimage.
The kingdom closed its borders in February 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since August 1, vaccinated foreign tourists have also been allowed in.
The Umrah pilgrimage can be undertaken at any time of the year and attracts millions from around the world. Pilgrims may also visit the holy city of Medina.
The ʿUmrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (the holiest city for Muslims) at any time of the year, in contrast to the Ḥajj, which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
In accordance to the Shariah (Law of Islam), for both pilgrimages, a Muslim must first assume Ihram, a state of purification achieved by completing cleansing rituals, wearing the prescribed attire, and abstaining from certain actions. This must be attained when reaching a Miqat, a principal boundary point in Mecca, like Dhu 'l-Hulaifah, Juhfah, Qarnu 'l-Manāzil, Yalamlam, Zāt-i-'Irq, Ibrahīm Mursīyah, or a place in Al-Hill. Different conditions exist for air travelers, who must observe Ihram once entering a specific perimeter in the city.
Umrah requires Muslims to perform two key rituals, Tawaf and Sa'i. Tawaf is a circling round the Kaaba. For men, it is recommended to do the first three circuits in a hurried pace, followed by four rounds of a more leisurely pace. This is followed by Sa'i between Safa and Marwah in the Great Mosque of Mecca, a walk to commemorate Hagar's search for water for her son and God's mercy in answering prayers. Pilgrims conclude the pilgrimage with Halq, a partial or complete shortening of the hair.
Umrah is sometimes considered the "lesser pilgrimage", in that it is not compulsory, but is still highly recommended. It is generally able to be completed in a few hours, in comparison to Ḥajj, which may take a few days. It is also not meant to be interpreted as a substitute for Hajj. However, both are demonstrations of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah (God).
