These countries will find it difficult to perform Hajj this year

2024-05-27 2024-05-27T11:18:07Z

Weather of Arabia - In light of the difficult political, economic and social conditions witnessed by several countries around the world, many residents face new challenges that hinder their performance of Hajj this year.

In this article, we will explore the challenges facing countries where Hajj is difficult to perform this year, including Gaza, Sudan, and China.

Hajj was not possible in Gaza

It seems that Gazans will not be able to perform Hajj this year; Because of the Israeli occupation’s control over the Gaza Strip’s crossings.
The occupation prevents the population from reaching the most basic needs amid the difficult war
While the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza denounced preventing thousands of citizens from performing Hajj; Due to the closure of the Rafah land crossing, she stressed that this ban constitutes a violation of freedom of worship and international humanitarian law.
The ongoing Israeli aggression and the Israeli army’s seizure of the Palestinian side of the crossing since May 6 is hampering the Hajj season for Gaza pilgrims.

Hajj was not possible in Sudan

Less than 8,000 Sudanese registered for Hajj this year, 25% of Sudan’s quota set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.
The high cost of the trip and the difficulty of moving around the country; Due to the civil war, these are the two main reasons why Hajj is not possible.
The cost of Hajj rose to 6 million pounds for air travel and 5 million pounds for sea travel. Due to the deterioration of the Sudanese pound exchange rate.
Many Sudanese find it difficult to save this amount, with the deteriorating economic conditions and the ongoing conflict.
The Sudanese Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments tried to facilitate applications for Hajj through websites and banking applications, but that was not enough.

The impossibility of Hajj for the Sudanese began last year due to the war and the inability to reach Port Sudan safely.

Hajj restrictions in China

The Chinese authorities imposed new rules for selecting applicants to perform the Hajj, including meeting the “patriotism criterion.”
The rules require applicants to be “patriotic, law-abiding, and of good conduct,” and prevent those who have previously performed the Hajj from applying again. Individual Hajj has been banned, and organizing the Hajj has become limited to the state.
Uyghur activist Nuri Turkel pointed out that China has only allowed official pilgrimages since 2005, and new rules determine how participants are selected.
Chinese authorities tighten restrictions on Hajj, including preventing Muslims from performing the Hajj without official permission.
A report by the American NPR website indicated that the authorities may confiscate the passports of Muslims who perform Hajj individually, and after the end of the Corona pandemic closures, the Chinese authorities reduced travel routes abroad for Muslims.