Russian vaccine becomes an obstacle to small Hajj to Mecca and Medina

According to Hajj operators, the mass performance of a small Hajj pilgrimage by Russian citizens is possible only if the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 is recognized by the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia has requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to legalize Sputnik V vaccine.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in 2020, because of the pandemic, the authorities of Saudi Arabia took an unprecedented step: they deprived residents of other countries of the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Muslim shrines in Mecca and Medina.

On March 17, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Russia recognized the use of Sputnik V vaccine as permissible from the point of view of Sharia law.

According to Bulat Kurbanov, the general director of the Dagestani Company “Marva-Tour”, the only opportunity to commit the Umrah (an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) is the recognition of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Pilgrims are required to be vaccinated with any of the four vaccines recognized in Saudi Arabia. The Russian vaccine is not included in the list,” the general director of the “Marva-Tour” explained.

If the negotiations on the recognition of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 turn out to be unsuccessful, then the chances of Russian citizens to go on a pilgrimage are minimal, says Rushan Abbyasov, the first deputy chairman of the Russian SAM.

He admits that if a Russian citizen is vaccinated with a foreign vaccine, which is recognized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he will be able to obtain a visa and go for a pilgrimage.

It is almost impossible to get vaccinated with foreign vaccines, because most people cannot afford special trips for foreign vaccines, emphasizes Khisbulla Asuev, the head of the Hajj mission of Russia.

According to Hajj operators, the mass performance of a small Hajj pilgrimage by Russian citizens is possible only if the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 is recognized by the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia has requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to legalize Sputnik V vaccine.