By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – An Islamic civil right organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to Muslims who intended to perform the 2021 Hajj to remain strong as their dreams will be realised when COVID-19 recedes.
This was contained in a statement issued in Lagos on June 21, 2021, by MURIC’s Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.
On June 12, 2021, Saudi Arabia announced that it would not be receiving pilgrims for the annual pilgrimage in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
While encouraging Muslims affected by the restriction not to be discouraged, MURIC said: “We reiterate our position that this is a postponement necessitated by COVID-19 pandemic. It is not a punitive measure against the Nigerian government or a disciplinary action against Nigerian Muslims.
”Hajj 2021 has been postponed the same way that several events of massive gathering of people have been postponed in many parts of the world on account of the Coronavirus pandemic.
”We urge all those affected by the postponement to strictly follow guidelines issued by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) authorities from time to time.
“We also commend NAHCON for being proactive. It is on record that the commission has already told intending pilgrims who wish to collect the money paid for this year’s hajj to come forward.
“To that extent, therefore, MURIC commends NAHCON for being transparent and accountable without being forced to do so.”
(NAN)