French Muslim Council Advises Postponing Hajj Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty

"Given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding the conditions for organizing the pilgrimage this year, the CFCM calls on those wishing to perform the Hajj to be extremely vigilant and strongly advises them not to commit to an operator or any intermediary who demands a deposit. It should be noted that in the current context, taking out insurance will have no effect in the event of cancellation," the CFCM said in a statement.

"Given the too short time frame separating us from the start of the pilgrimage and the lack of official information from the Saudi authorities as well as the unknown conditions for the opening of international borders (dates, quarantine, etc.), the CFCM strongly recommends that Muslims in France postpone their pilgrimage project to next year," it adds.

"The CFCM solemnly calls on Hajj operators, whose moral and legal responsibility is immense, to renounce the organization of the pilgrimage this year in order to preserve the lives of their candidates who are often of advanced age and therefore more vulnerable to COVID-19," it further states.

And to recall that "many Muslim countries have already announced the suspension of the pilgrimage for their nationals, and many Muslim scholars have welcomed this decision which finds its justification in the fundamental principle of preserving life."