No Haj in 2020 for Indian Pilgrims, application money to be refunded in full

June 23: In the backdrop of the rising number of coronavirus cases across the globe, Saudi Arabia announced that “very limited number” of people will be allowed to perform Haj this year. In a statement issued on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Haj said a “very limited number” of pilgrims of various nationalities who already reside in the country will be able to perform the Haj since the pandemic has spread to more than 180 countries and there is no vaccination or a cure for Covid-19.

The statement further said, “The decision was taken to ensure Haj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings.”

Process started to immediately refund full amount of money deposited by the applicants without any deduction. The money will be refunded through online DBT mode into bank accounts of the applicants: Union Minister @naqvimukhtar

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Details: https://t.co/7ApH5nDVSb pic.twitter.com/wxtLYYkgcT

— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 23, 2020

Following this decision by Saudia Arabia, the Indian government on Tuesday decided to refund the application money of pilgrims without any deduction. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “We have decided that Haj pilgrims from India will not be sent to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2020. Application money of more than 2.3 lakh pilgrims will be returned without cancellation deductions through direct transfer.”