ISLAMABAD: A memorandum of understanding on sacrificial animals has been signed between the Pakistan Hajj Mission and the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia has allowed one million people from both within and outside the Kingdom to perform this year’s Hajj, which was restricted to just 1,000 local residents in 2020. Last year, the Kingdom limited the pilgrimage to 60,000 domestic participants, compared with the pre-pandemic 2.5 million. Pilgrims this Hajj season are required to be 65 or below, and fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Pakistan has been allotted a quota of 81,132 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, with 32,000 people using a government scheme and 48,000 traveling through private operators.
One requirement of the Hajj is for each pilgrim to ritually slaughter an animal — sheep, cow, camel or goat — at the end.
“Under the MoU, the Bank will ensure arrangement of sacrifice in accordance with Shariah principles, while the sacrificial animals will be approved by a team of experts and scholars after thorough inspection,” Radio Pakistan reported.
Director Hajj Sajid Manzoor Asadi said the MoU with IDB was only for pilgrims who had deposited the money for a sacrificial animal under the government Hajj scheme.
“He said the amount of the sacrifice has been reduced from 849 to 809, decreasing 40 Saudi riyals, and all the sacrificial matters will be handled by the Islamic Development Bank,” Radio Pakistan added.
