KOTA BARU – The government is expected to be made aware of additional conditions by the Saudi Arabian government for haj pilgrims as early as Ramadan, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
He said this includes the possibility of making Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for them.
Therefore, he urged pilgrimage candidates to be prepared to adhere to the conditions.
“We don’t want at the last minute when the quota is available, there are things that hamper their chances to perform the haj,” he told reporters during a handout programme organised by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPIEM) at the Kijang assemblyman’s office here, today.
Meanwhile, Marzuk said the proposal for haj pilgrims’ preparations has been completed and would be tabled to the cabinet.
“However, it depends on the Covid-19 situation globally,” the Pengkalan Chepa MP said.
It was reported that the Saudi Arabian government has agreed to give Malaysia an additional 10,000 places under the Putrajaya’s haj quota when international travel is allowed again.
Meanwhile, Marzuk said the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill and the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Bill were now ready and would be brought for negotiation with the states involved, next month.
He said the decision was made during the Syarak and Civil Law Technical Committee meeting between March 9 and 11.
“We have completed the bills and I’m also confident that the committee members have put in their best efforts to ensure that the bills are complete and ready for the next level,” he said. – Bernama, March 15, 2021
