Corona Daily 376: Minimalist Hajj

A very different Hajj pilgrimage begins today.

Last year, 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world attended the five day pilgrimage, an obligation for every spiritual Muslim. Saudi Arabia, which calls itself ‘the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’, earned $12 billion from it. After oil, Hajj and Umrah (Mecca visits outside Hajj days) are the biggest contributors to the Saudi treasury.

Hajj is allowed only to Muslims. Muslim women under 45 can go only if accompanied by a male relative. Those over 45 must carry a notarized No Objection Certificate from male relatives. Nine months ago, Saudi Arabia had liberalized certain rules. (If the word liberal can be applied in the Saudi context). This year would have been the first Hajj when women were allowed to visit Mecca without a male relative or his legalized consent. Many young Indian Muslim women had registered. They looked forward to that singular opportunity.

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The Hajj pilgrimage, lasting for 5-6 days, is a packed ocean of humanity. A square meter has an estimated nine people during prayers. It’s terribly hot, traditional garments expose men’s upper bodies. There is much skin-to-skin contact. Pilgrims share food; men share razors for shaving heads. Exhaustion and dehydration can lower immunity. It is an ideal breeding ground for viruses and infections. In 1821 and 1865, tens of thousands of Hajj pilgrims had died in cholera epidemics. Umrah is translated as ‘visiting a populated place’.

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Saudi Arabia has decided to make this year’s Hajj minimalist. No Muslim from abroad is allowed. Only 1000 lucky applicants residing in Saudi Arabia will attend. 70% of them are foreign nationals from 160 countries (such as diplomats from the Pakistani embassy). When selecting Saudi citizens, priority was given to health care workers and security staff, particularly those already recovered from Covid-19. Nobody above 65 or with health conditions is allowed.

All 1000 Hajj pilgrims are required to observe a 7-day quarantine at home before travelling to Mecca. They must also test negative. After arrival in Mecca, they will be tested again, and given a GPS bracelet for contact tracing. Face masks are mandatory. Touching or kissing the Kaaba is forbidden. Pilgrims must maintain a distance of five feet during prayers. Access to holy sites at Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat require a special permit which will be issued very selectively. After the end of the Hajj on 2 August, pilgrims should observe another 7-day quarantine at home. Fines and jail sentences are prescribed for those trying to attend Hajj without a permit. Where sentences are concerned, nobody doubts the seriousness of the Saudi authorities.

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A Kenyan computer engineer, Ahmed Al Haddal, has created an app called ‘Hajplication’, which is a livestream experience. He is also developing an app called iVatican.

Muslim scholars and commentators are not too happy. Pilgrims are meant to suffer (in 40 C heat) the discomfort of travel, wear prescribed clothes, not trim nails, shave their heads, none of which is possible if you are sitting in your air-conditioned living room with your Apple computer. A British professor, Jonathan Wilson, compared it to a virtual swimming experience.

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This week, we will learn how successful the virtual Hajj experience is. In theory, more than a billion Muslims will be able to experience Hajj on their screens if it were to be telecast live.

However, if the livestreaming app is successful, the Saudi prince will make sure it is banned. With falling oil prices, the royal family can’t afford to lose its last source of income.

Ravi