Pakistan says supports Saudi Arabia's decision to restrict Hajj over coronavirus concerns

Members of the Saudi security forces holding umbrellas stand guard, as Muslim worshippers pray around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in the Grand Mosque complex in the Saudi city of Mecca on April 16, 2021. (AFP/File)

• Saudi Arabia has restricted this year's annual pilgrimage to 60,000 citizens and residents in the kingdom
• Pakistani officials say Saudi's decision taken "in public interest" and to ensure safety of pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials have expressed their support of Saudi Arabia’s decision to restrict this year’s Hajj pilgrimage over public health concerns as the coronavirus is still raging across the globe. 
On Saturday, Saudi health authorities announced the kingdom had restricted the pilgrimage to 60,000 citizens and residents for the second year amid the pandemic. 
Only people aged between 18 and 65 who have been vaccinated against the virus, and are free of chronic diseases, will be able to take part in the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 
“An appropriate and correct decision has been made, the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia have always served the pilgrims. Shariah also allows to make such decisions in an emergency situation,” Tahir Ashrafi, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special adviser on religious harmony and the Middle East, told Arab News on Sunday.
He added the kingdom’s decision to hold this year’s Hajj amid strict COVID-19 health protocols was to “ensure the safety of pilgrims.”
On Saturday, following Saudi Arabia’s announcement, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a phone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. 
“The Saudi Foreign Minister apprised Foreign Minister Qureshi about the challenges of organizing Hajj in 2021 and the policy measures taken by the kingdom in the larger interest of public health,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“Minister Qureshi conveyed his understanding of the situation and expressed confidence in the decisions taken in public interest by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”
Before the pandemic enforced social distancing globally, some 2.5 million pilgrims used to visit the holiest sites of Islam in Makkah and Medina for the week-long Hajj and the lesser, year-round Umrah pilgrimage.