Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof
Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof

Explanation of Actions Taken for 2020 Hajj and Different Scenarios thereof

Explaining the actions taken for 2020 hajj, Chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization indicated that he is ready for different conditions and scenarios.

As reported by Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Information Base, where there are still months to arrangement of 2020 hajj, registration of pilgrims who were waiting for their pilgrimage for years was initiated from previous March. That is while not only Iran but also 200 countries of the world are engaged with COVID-19 pandemic. 


Under such conditions, arrangement of 2020 hajj is still ambiguous. Many pilgrims are now pondering upon the measure to take: preventing to register, or registering?! What will happen to those who registered?


In this relation, Chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Mr. Alireza Rashidian provided replies to some of these questions. He said: “Although we’re hopeful for slower spread of COVID-19 virus in warmer weather, we are ready for different conditions and scenarios.”


According to bilateral agreements, a number of 87,550 persons, including Islamic Republic of Iran pilgrims and agents, are planned to be dispatched to hajj ceremonies this year. In this regard, all actions concerning conclusion of housing, logistics, nutrition, and accommodation contracts as well as issues pertinent to health, insurance, and transportation have been undertaken.


 


* In case 2020 hajj ceremonies are arranged, dispatch of pilgrims will be done by full observance of all health and medical protocols


Mr. Rashidian declared: “In the event that coronavirus is suppressed and decisions are made to dispatch pilgrims to hajj ceremonies, all technical and operational conditions will be taken into scientific account. Under such conditions, dispatch of pilgrims will be subject to their physical ability ascertained by medical inspections.”


He added: “Interactions are in progress with Saudi Hajj Ministry. Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has formulated health protocols respecting pilgrims’ medical inspections, dispatch, transportation, accommodation, nutrition, and hajj ceremonies.”


Mr. Rashidian uttered: “IRI is the leading country among the Islamic countries arranging hajj ceremonies in protecting pilgrims’ health. During these years, Iran has organized a powerful cadre of healthcare forces by establishment of specialized clinics and hospitals from dispatch to return of hajj convoys as a precious experiment.”


He added: “In light of such experiments, knowledge, and science, Iran has presented a paradigm for other countries and made valuable cooperation with Saudi Health and Hajj Ministries.”


Mr. Rashidian continued: “We guarantee healthfulness of pilgrims by application of health regulations, pre-dispatch medical inspections, and control of health status of ordinary and high-risk pilgrims—the measures which have created acceptable satisfaction.”


He said in continuation: “With respect to present sensitivities and observance of the indices ordained by WHO and national health departments of the two countries, we will take relevant measures.”


 


 


 


* In case coronavirus crisis is prolonged, high-risk pilgrims will not be dispatched  


Chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said that high-risk pilgrims, those who suffer from background diseases, and those aged ones will not be dispatched to hajj ceremonies if coronavirus crisis is prolonged and conditions are found unsuitable for presence of all pilgrims from Muslim countries.


 


* In case 2020 hajj ceremonies are cancelled, all registered pilgrims will be dispatched next year


Mr. Rashidian indicated that the pilgrims who registered for this year’s hajj ceremonies and completed their registration process will be in priority the next year in the event that Saudi government decides to cancel this year’s hajj ceremonies.


Mr. Rashidian declared: “From 28 Feb. 2020 onward, an approximate number of 51,000 pilgrims registered their names via our internet website, from whom the registration of 49,596 ones is final.”


Expressing that registration process is still in progress, Mr. Rashidian said: “Required foreign currency has been provided based on a state ratification under approved rate. In accordance with final registrations, these credits will be settled into Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization’s accounts in Saudi Arabia and accommodation, inter- and intra-city transportations, food, etc., contracts will be concluded.


Chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization added: “There is a proviso in our bilateral contracts entitled emergency condition, under which all service costs shall be transferred to the upcoming year’s services in case hajj ceremonies are ever cancelled. In this way, all rial investments for accommodation, transportation, etc., services shall be conveyed to the next hajj ceremony without application of par of exchange and increment of expenses.”


Emphasizing on the fact that non-application of possibly increased par of exchange is solely contingent upon cancelation of this year’s hajj ceremony, Mr. Rashidian declared that: “Only a small percentage of hajj expenses like custom duties, visas, airplane tickets, and training fees might be changed and the major part of them will remain unchanged.”


Asked on the condition of those who wish to withdraw from participation in hajj ceremonies if they are not arranged, Chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization replied: “These people can withdraw only to be replaced by newly registered pilgrims in upcoming calls.”


“All pilgrims who registered for this year’s hajj ceremonies,” Mr. Rashidian added, “will be dispatched the next year if 2020 hajj is cancelled. New registrations will be made only if Iran’s quota is escalated, for whom applicable currency rates would be applied.”




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