KUALA LUMPUR – Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the Health Ministry, as well as other stakeholders, must meet to formulate a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for Malaysians pilgrims to perform the haj, in light of the Covid-19 situation.
Selangor Deputy Mufti Datuk Anhar Opir said haj operations have been significantly affected by travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, hence the need for comprehensive SOPs to ensure that operations run smoothly.
He said the SOPs should be given priority in order to prevent the pilgrims from coming to harm.
“Covid-19, which has yet to have a cure, is a test from Allah. Only a comprehensive SOP will help prevent the infection. That is why we need the SOP, to prevent us from harm...the SOP may differ according to the situation,” the TH Haj Guidance Committee member told Bernama.
Elaborating, he said that physical distancing is one of the issues that should be emphasised in the SOPs, whereby the distance should be based on the pilgrim’s present situation, such as in a moving vehicle, during wukuf in Arafah, or during the stoning of the jamrah in Mina.
“We need separate SOPs for the pilgrims when they are in Arafah for wukuf and in Mina for the stoning of the jamrah. In Mina, for example, the number of pilgrims could not be increased, but physical distancing is required because the area is limited. So, I propose for further scrutiny.
“The wearing of the face mask (in ihram during haj or umrah) is required during a pandemic as has been decided in the National Haj Muzakarah, and pilgrims will only be imposed the ‘dam’ (fine) once,” he said.
Anhar said other rites to be done by Malaysian pilgrims could also be selected to prevent infection of Covid-19.
The rising cost of haj due to the implementation of SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 should also be carefully reviewed to ensure that the pilgrims and haj operators like TH, will not be heavily burdened.
“If we were to implement physical distancing, the flight with 400-passenger capacity a bus with 50-passenger capacity may only transport half the number, which will increase the cost. With the cost of quarantine and other costs, it will definitely affect the overall cost of haj,” he said.
Anhar suggested that the new conditions set by the Saudi Government for approval to perform umrah starting November 1, could be used as a reference for the formulation of Malaysia’s haj SOPs, including setting the age limit of pilgrims to between 18 and 50.
“If the same formula is used, there may be additional conditions, such as health confirmation, symptom detection and mandatory screenings 72 hours before departure, especially for those in the high-risk group,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anhar said those financially capable but physically incapable of performing haj, are still required to do it, but through the haj badal (proxy) method. – Bernama, December 9, 2020
