Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais, head of the Religious Affairs Presidency in the Two Holy Mosques, stated on Saudi TV Al Ekhbariya, “Some of the deaths during the last Hajj season were because some pilgrims followed fatwas from incorrect sources and made the pilgrimage journey without proper permits.”
He emphasized the importance of obtaining fatwas from authorized scholars and avoiding what he described as “abnormal” religious edicts.
The recent Hajj, which took place in June in and around Mecca, coincided with extreme heat. Saudi authorities reported that over 1,300 pilgrims, mostly undocumented, died after trekking long distances under the sun.
They have reiterated that a Hajj visa is mandatory for the pilgrimage and have cracked down on fake tours. A visit visa does not permit one to perform Hajj.
Saudi religious authorities plan to hold a major forum on fatwas later this month, according to Al Sudais. The “Fatwa in the Two Holy Mosques” event will take place over three days in the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second holiest site in Medina.
Al Sudais stated, “Islam today needs us to be aware of its genuine precepts and moderate message.” He added that the forum aims to enrich worshipers’ experiences in the two holy mosques, encourage adherence to fatwas from authorized sources, and eliminate “abnormal” fatwas.
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