Hajj Cancelled for British Muslims in the UK
25 Jun 2020
On 22 June 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah released an official statement
(in Arabic) which announced that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia will not be permitted to enter the country to perform Hajj. Only a very limited number of Muslims, who already reside in Saudi Arabia, will be allowed to perform Hajj 1441H (2020). A ban on Umrah also remains in place.
This means 1441H (2020) Hajj packages for all international pilgrims, including those from the UK, have been automatically cancelled.
On the 23 June 2020, in a press release from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hajj & Umrah, both Yasmin Qureshi MP and Rashid Mogradia (CEO of the Council of British Hajjis) have strongly urged Pilgrims to check that they have a valid ATOL certificate which affords them financial protection.
Those that have booked to undertake Hajj this year should contact their airline, travel company or other transport and accommodation providers to seek a refund or request to take their bookings forward for Hajj next year.