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Saudi Arabia restores Pakistan’s pre-COVID Hajj quota, ends age limit

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  • Saudi Arabia restores Pakistan’s Hajj quota to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Age limit for Hajj pilgrims has been abolished by Riyadh. 
  • Hajj Policy 2023 will be announced after approval of cabinet. 

In a major development, Saudi Arabia restored Pakistan’s Hajj quota to pre-pandemic levels and lifted the upper age limit as the COVID-19 epidemic waned, confirmed Ministry for Religious Affairs on Monday.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor received a draft of the annual Hajj agreement from the Saudi authorities, under which, Pakistan’s previous Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims has been restored and the age limit of 65 years has been abolished, according to the ministry.

The religious affairs minister is currently in Saudi Arabia to attend the four-day International Hajj Conference. During his visit, the minister called on his Saudi counterpart and other officials.

According to the ministry, this year Hajj applications are likely to be invited by the end of February. The minister will announce the Hajj Policy 2023 after the approval of the federal cabinet.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia‘s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq al-Rabi’ah, has said that delegations from 19 countries including Pakistan, India and Iran signed Hajj agreements.

These agreements detail the number of pilgrims, their arrival and departure, and the services offered to them.

Turkey, Sudan, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Bahrain are among the other signatories of the Hajj Agreement, said the Saudi minister.

Furthermore, a delegation including ministers from 12 countries met the minister, who then informed the delegations about the new facilities offered to Hajj pilgrims by the Saudi government.

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The Senate will meet tomorrow at 4:30 PM, while the NA will meet today at 5:00 PM.

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The National Assembly will convene today at 5:00 PM at Parliament House in Islamabad.

The Senate session is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 PM at Parliament House in Islamabad.

Both houses will discuss national and international issues in addition to legislative business.

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Government Hajj Scheme: Today is the last day to submit an application for the Hajj.

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The government’s hajj program is ending today, and applications are being accepted nationwide by approved banks.

So far, more than 72,000 applications have been received, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Candidates can join their family members’ hajj groups, and Pakistanis living abroad can sponsor their loved ones to perform the Hajj.

The first payment for applications is two hundred thousand rupees, and the second installment, which is four hundred thousand rupees, can be submitted within ten days following the balloting.

Until February 10th of the following year, the remaining sum must be turned in.

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VPN use is neither illegal nor un-Islamic, according to the head of the Council of Islamic Ideology.

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Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the CII, discussed his views on social issues, legal reforms, and VPN implementation.

According to Raghib Naeem, using a virtual private network (VPN) causes blasphemy, religious defamation, or the spread of disturbance, which makes it unlawful and un-Islamic.

He claimed that within certain bounds, Article 19 guarantees social peace, religious tolerance, and national integrity.

A query on the seminary registration issue was answered by the CII chairman, who stated that if there is proof of money laundering through madrassas, the management of those institutions will face legal action.

Additionally, he stated that it is unethical and illegal to exchange human baby milk.

Continue reading: Another declaration on VPN use from the Council of Islamic Ideology

In addition to suggesting legislation capping dowries at one tola (11.66 grams) of gold, Dr. Raghib Naeemi suggested moving the authorization for a second marriage from the wife to the Union Council.

Prior to this, the Council of Islamic Ideology stressed the significance of encouraging responsible digital citizenship and utilizing technology in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Though their use should be constructive and appropriate, VPNs are not intrinsically illegal, according to the Council of Islamic Ideology.

“Thoughts and ideas can be expressed effectively on social media for admirable ends. The statement said, “Muslims must adhere to Islamic teachings, utilizing social media to spread Islamic knowledge, education, and training.”

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