MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO : Sri Lanka will refrain from sending Hajj pilgrims during the forthcoming season in July due to its current economic crisis.
Following a meeting of the Colombo-based All-Ceylon Hajj Operators Association held on Monday, May 30 at the Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, the members decided to refrain from sending pilgrims this year considering the current situation and the sufferings of the people in Mother Lanka.
The association said the members of the association have decided to sacrifice this year’s Hajj, which is the 5th Fundamental right in Islam and return the quota to Saudi Arabia a as early as possible due to the current problems in the country.
The letter further said : “ We also would like to thank the Government of Saudi Arabia for allocating 1585 visas for pilgrims in Sri Lanka to perform Hajj this year and we would like to extend our great appreciation for Hajj Minister and the Government of Saudi Arabia for this kind gesture.”
“We would like to thank you for accommodating us and listening to us and tirelessly working for the success of Hajj 2022. We both associations would take this opportunity to thank the newly appointed Minister Hafiz Naseer Ahamed , Hajj Committee and the team at the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs , for all the assistance and cooperation extended.”
“ The association has requested well in advance, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to consider allocating more visas for Hajj 2023 for Sri Lanka.
Minister of Environment, Hafiz Naseer Ahamed , the only Muslim member in the present cabinet of ministers said : “ Appreciate the spontaneous response from the Muslim community to forego the Hajj pilgrimage although despite getting a quota for this year. I am proud and happy our community has come forward to sacrifice their important obligation for the sake of their motherland to ease the economic crisis .”
Rizmi Reyal president of the All-Ceylon Hajj Tour Operators Association told Colombo Times said that a meeting of the 86-member association was held at the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs on Monday night, May 30 and it was unanimously decided to forego this year’s Hajj because of the severe dollar crisis facing the country.
