Pakistan

Haj 2024: Is coronavirus vaccine required?

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Monday provided an update for people aspiring to perform the religious obligation of Haj next year.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the ministry said: “The condition for corona[virus] vaccine has been abolished. Haj pilgrims do not need to submit their coronavirus [vaccination] certificates.”

The Saudi authorities revoked major restrictions this year in June for the Haj pilgrimage, which returned to its maximum capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

حج 2024 کیلئے #کرونا #ویکسین کی شرط ختم، #عازمین #حج کو کرونا سرٹیفکیٹ جمع کرانے کی ضرورت نہیں #Hajj #COVID19 #hajj2024
— Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (@MORAisbOfficial) December 4, 2023

Around 2 million people gathered at Islam’s holiest site to perform the pilgrimage after the Saudi authorities invited people from across the globe following the abolishment of curbs.

Over 2.4 million performed the pilgrimage in 2019, while in 2020, due to the curbs imposed because of coronavirus lockdowns, Saudi Arabia restricted the attendance to a few thousand citizens and residents.

In 2022, around 900,000 were able to perform Haj after the Saudi authorities allowed limited numbers of foreign pilgrims.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs on November 27 opened the registration for Haj 2024 under the government scheme and the process is set to continue till December 12.

The applications can be submitted on a passport valid till December 16, 2024, and the Haj application can also be processed on a passport application token.

The ministry’s spokesperson said about 89,605 Pakistanis will perform Haj under the government scheme next year.

Balloting will be conducted if more than the prescribed number of applications are received.

For the first time, women will have the opportunity to undertake the sacred journey without the traditional requirement of a male companion.

Under the sponsorship scheme, 25,000 seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Latest News

PTI and JUI (Sherani) decide to proceed by consensus.

Published

3 weeks ago

Farwa

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sherani) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have agreed to proceed together.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, the leader of JUI (Sherani), met with Barrister Dr. Saif, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Information Advisor.

The conference also included former senator Aslam Buledi and former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani.

The discussion focused on promoting reconciliation, political cooperation, and collective progress in the country. In addition, Barrister Dr. Saif read Fatiha and expressed sympathy for Maulana Sherani’s wife’s demise.

Barrister Saif recognized Maulana Sherani as a respected religious and political person, a senior member of parliament, and an expert in constitutional law during the meeting. He said that Maulana Sherani’s services are greatly valued by PTI founder Imran Khan and the party, and they hope he will play an active role in promoting trust, cooperation, and national reconciliation.

Maulana Sherani was invited to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Barrister Saif on behalf of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani emphasized the importance of reconciliation in guiding the nation away from conflict and proposed that Muhammad Ali Durrani be instrumental in promoting this process.

Business

SFD and Pakistan Sign Two Deals Totaling $1.61BLN

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

Two agreements totaling $1.61 billion have been inked by Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development to improve their bilateral economic cooperation.

Entertainment

‘Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan’ is a new song teased by ISPR for Solidarity Day

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

A new anthem, “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan,” was issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday (tomorrow) in honor of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Every year on February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day is commemorated to show solidarity with the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Renowned musician Ahmed Jahanzeb sings the song, which sends a powerful message of solidarity and dedication to the liberation fighters of Held Kashmir.

Imran Raza wrote the words, while Irfan Saleem and Kamran Khan composed the music.

The song was composed especially to commemorate the momentous day and to reaffirm support for the courageous and tenacious people of Kashmir, who are fighting for their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the documents of united nations