ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ulema Council on Friday urged Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to abide by the “code of conduct” prescribed by Saudi Arabia and not to violate the rules of the kingdom.
The statement comes a month after Madinah police arrested at least five Pakistani nationals for “abusing and insulting” Pakistani Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Minister for Narcotics Control Shahzain Bugti at the Prophet’s Mosque in the city.
Videos shared online showed some individuals chanting slogans as the ministers, who were part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation, visited the Prophet’s Mosque. Police also registered cases against former prime minister Imran Khan and members of his party in Pakistan for sloganeering against the delegation as part of what they called a “planned-out scheme and conspiracy.”
On Friday, the Pakistan Ulema Council urged Pakistani pilgrims to focus on worship and not to violate laws during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
“During the Hajj days, do not try to establish a political arena in Saudi Arabia and especially in Makkah, Madinah, Mina and Arafat and do not be a part of any such effort,” the council said in a statement.
“Pilgrims should pay attention to worship and avoid to become part of any political and sectarian debates and gatherings.”
This year, Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a quota of 81,132 pilgrims. Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Friday issued a schedule of Hajj flights, with the first plane leaving for Saudi Arabia on June 6.
The kingdom has allowed up to one million people to perform the annual ritual this year, expanding it to participants from outside Saudi Arabia after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the pilgrims must be under 65 years and fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
