No word yet from Saudi Arabia on suspension of this year's pilgrimage

There has not been any official statement by the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry on the postponement of the pilgrimage this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

Therefore, he called on all Muslims not to spread any word on the matter.

The statement follows an explanation made by Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Malaysia, Mahmoud Hussien Saeed Qattan.

"Last month, Saudi Arabia also halted all umrah pilgrims throughout the year due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Following that, I had a meeting with Mahmoud Hussien Saeed Qattan, the Saudi Ambassador to Malaysia on April 7, 2020.

"Also present were Sheikh Abdurrahman Ibrahim Al-Rubai'an, Religious Attache of the Saudi Embassy; Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Senior General Manager of Haj, Tabung Haji and Ruslan Said, Director General of the Wakaf, Zakat and Haj Department (JAWHAR), "he said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The current COVID-19 outbreak has also affected Saudi Arabia which has stopped all international flights and blocking entry and exit movements in several cities, including Makkah and Madinah.

"Last month, Saudi Arabia also halted the entry of umrah pilgrims throughout the year due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19," he said.