The National Hajj Commission of The Gambia said they are waiting for confirmation from the authorities of Saudi for the 2020 pilgrimage. The head of the Hajj Commission Dr. Ousman Jah, said they have been asked by the Saudi authorities to be on standby for the 2020 hajj. He disclosed that the authorities, as per the information received, are presently gauging the situation as to whether the 2020 Hajj will be feasible considering the current global pandemic or cancelled till next year for the safety of the Muslim Ummah.

The government of Saudi since the outbreak Covid-19 in March, suspended all public gatherings including Umrah and all other religious activities that involved large crowds.

“If we receive the green light from Saudi and confirm with our government that we can go ahead with the hajj, we will ask our travel agencies to carry on with their preparations. But if they cancelled it, or the Gambia government feels that the country cannot make it, then we will withdraw,” Dr. Jah said.

He added that “Hajj preparations cannot be done under the lockdown. This is why we are holding on, waiting on Saudi Arabia to give us the green light, after which, we will see whether it would be feasible or not.
“We are calling on Gambians who intend to go to Mecca this year to exercise patience and listen to the commission and The Gambia government.”

By Fatoumatta Samateh