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https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...visits-year-haj-pilgrimage-deferred-2021-muis
Muslims should refrain from Hari Raya visits this year, Haj pilgrimage deferred to 2021: Muis
TODAY file photoMuslims should still abide by circuit breaker measures and refrain from visiting each other across households for the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa this year, Muis said.
Published15 May, 2020
Updated 15 May, 2020
And given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Haj pilgrimage will also be deferred this year.
The 900 Muslims who have registered to perform their Haj this year will be automatically rescheduled to perform their pilgrimage in 2021 instead.
In its statement, Muis said that the safe distancing measures implemented in Singapore during this period can only bring about the intended results when everybody works together to adhere to them.
“As such, Muslims should abide by the national restrictions on gatherings in public and private spaces, and therefore refrain from traditional Hari Raya visits and gatherings across households.
“Persons going out to purchase festive items should do so individually and keep their trips as short as possible. Visits to loved ones in different households, especially elderly family members, should be deferred until restrictions on visits are lifted, except where important care-giving is required.”
Read also: Circuit-breaker Ramadan a challenge for food delivery riders, but more tips, acts of kindness shine through
Traditional communal prayers that are typically conducted on the eve and the morning of Hari Raya will also not be possible this year, the government agency added, as mosques are still closed and gatherings across households are disallowed.
Instead, the traditional Hari Raya prayer call, known as the “takbir”, will be streamed live via YouTube Live on SalamSG TV as well as the Facebook pages of Muis and local mosques on the evening of May 23.
Following the “live” online takbir, the Mufti, the highest religious leader for the Muslim community in Singapore, will make an address on SalamSG TV on how the community can fulfil its religious duties during Hari Raya amidst the Covid-19 situation.
Read also: Ramadan a quieter, more solitary affair this year as Muslims begin fasting amid circuit breaker measures
The Mufti will be joined by former Mufti Dr Fatris Bakaram and the President of Singapore, Madam Halimah Yacob, as a special guest.
Similarly, on the morning of Hari Raya, Muslims will be able to tune in to a live takbir from their homes via Warna 94.2 FM, or online through the Facebook pages of local mosques.
After the traditional Hari Raya prayers at home, the Mufti will give a live Hari Raya sermon that will be broadcast over radio and various online channels such as SalamSG TV.
As for the Haj pilgrimage, Muis noted that there remain many uncertainties regarding the spread and impact of Covid-19 on infected patients.
The Government’s advisory against travel abroad also remains in force, it added.
“The annual Haj pilgrimage involves the gathering of about 2.5 million people from all over the world, in the city of Makkah. This is a large scale gathering, involving pilgrims from across the world. As with the case of overseas travel, there are inherent risks for Singaporean pilgrims to participate in the Haj and contract the virus.”
In March, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia issued an advisory to Haj agencies around the world to stop taking on new reservations or payments with respect to Haj pilgrimage in 2020.
Saudia Airlines also announced the suspension of all international flights until further notice.
As of Friday, Saudi Arabia has not made an official announcement on the status of Haj pilgrimage for 2020, Muis said.
“Muis, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, has decided that, as a responsible stakeholder, it is only prudent for Singapore to defer its Haj 2020 plans for all our 900 pilgrims to the following year (2021).”
This is especially the case as more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans who are scheduled to perform Haj this year are above the age of 50, Muis added.
Younger pilgrims who are working have also expressed challenges in obtaining leave to perform the Haj and concerns over their job security, given the challenging economic situation, it said.
This is compounded by the fact that Singaporean travellers must serve a 14-day stay home notice upon their return to Singapore.
There are other challenges as well, Muis noted.
In past years, pilgrims would usually have made payment and secured their travel arrangements and accommodation before the month of Ramadan. However, with the uncertainty of the pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to adequately prepare logistical and administrative requirements for the pilgrimage, it said.
“Moreover, with Singapore’s healthcare resources fully committed to managing Covid-19 and other pressing hospital requirements, we are unable to assemble a team of doctors and nurses to support this year’s Haj delegation,” Muis added.
“The absence of such a medical team will compromise the health and well-being of our pilgrims.”
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Muslims should refrain from Hari Raya visits this year, Haj pilgrimage deferred to 2021: Muis
Published15 May, 2020
Updated 15 May, 2020
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And given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Haj pilgrimage will also be deferred this year.
The 900 Muslims who have registered to perform their Haj this year will be automatically rescheduled to perform their pilgrimage in 2021 instead.
In its statement, Muis said that the safe distancing measures implemented in Singapore during this period can only bring about the intended results when everybody works together to adhere to them.
“As such, Muslims should abide by the national restrictions on gatherings in public and private spaces, and therefore refrain from traditional Hari Raya visits and gatherings across households.
“Persons going out to purchase festive items should do so individually and keep their trips as short as possible. Visits to loved ones in different households, especially elderly family members, should be deferred until restrictions on visits are lifted, except where important care-giving is required.”
Read also: Circuit-breaker Ramadan a challenge for food delivery riders, but more tips, acts of kindness shine through
Traditional communal prayers that are typically conducted on the eve and the morning of Hari Raya will also not be possible this year, the government agency added, as mosques are still closed and gatherings across households are disallowed.
Instead, the traditional Hari Raya prayer call, known as the “takbir”, will be streamed live via YouTube Live on SalamSG TV as well as the Facebook pages of Muis and local mosques on the evening of May 23.
Following the “live” online takbir, the Mufti, the highest religious leader for the Muslim community in Singapore, will make an address on SalamSG TV on how the community can fulfil its religious duties during Hari Raya amidst the Covid-19 situation.
Read also: Ramadan a quieter, more solitary affair this year as Muslims begin fasting amid circuit breaker measures
The Mufti will be joined by former Mufti Dr Fatris Bakaram and the President of Singapore, Madam Halimah Yacob, as a special guest.
Similarly, on the morning of Hari Raya, Muslims will be able to tune in to a live takbir from their homes via Warna 94.2 FM, or online through the Facebook pages of local mosques.
After the traditional Hari Raya prayers at home, the Mufti will give a live Hari Raya sermon that will be broadcast over radio and various online channels such as SalamSG TV.
As for the Haj pilgrimage, Muis noted that there remain many uncertainties regarding the spread and impact of Covid-19 on infected patients.
The Government’s advisory against travel abroad also remains in force, it added.
“The annual Haj pilgrimage involves the gathering of about 2.5 million people from all over the world, in the city of Makkah. This is a large scale gathering, involving pilgrims from across the world. As with the case of overseas travel, there are inherent risks for Singaporean pilgrims to participate in the Haj and contract the virus.”
In March, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia issued an advisory to Haj agencies around the world to stop taking on new reservations or payments with respect to Haj pilgrimage in 2020.
Saudia Airlines also announced the suspension of all international flights until further notice.
As of Friday, Saudi Arabia has not made an official announcement on the status of Haj pilgrimage for 2020, Muis said.
“Muis, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, has decided that, as a responsible stakeholder, it is only prudent for Singapore to defer its Haj 2020 plans for all our 900 pilgrims to the following year (2021).”
This is especially the case as more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans who are scheduled to perform Haj this year are above the age of 50, Muis added.
Younger pilgrims who are working have also expressed challenges in obtaining leave to perform the Haj and concerns over their job security, given the challenging economic situation, it said.
This is compounded by the fact that Singaporean travellers must serve a 14-day stay home notice upon their return to Singapore.
There are other challenges as well, Muis noted.
In past years, pilgrims would usually have made payment and secured their travel arrangements and accommodation before the month of Ramadan. However, with the uncertainty of the pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to adequately prepare logistical and administrative requirements for the pilgrimage, it said.
“Moreover, with Singapore’s healthcare resources fully committed to managing Covid-19 and other pressing hospital requirements, we are unable to assemble a team of doctors and nurses to support this year’s Haj delegation,” Muis added.
“The absence of such a medical team will compromise the health and well-being of our pilgrims.”
Topics
