Pakistan Ulema Council issues code of conduct for pilgrims

Islamabad: Releasing a ‘Code of Conduct’ for the pilgrims, the Pakistan Ulema Council on Sunday urged the ‘Hujjaj’ and pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia from Pakistan to implement the rules and regulations of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 

During Haj days, pilgrims should stay away from indulging in any controversial debates and not to take part in any procession, political gathering and sloganeering, said the code of conduct. 

It also urged the elderly pilgrims and women devotees to say prayers in mosques near their residences in Makkah and Medina. ‘Dar-ul-Ifta’ Pakistan Ulema Council released the Code of Conduct here on Sunday to assist Pakistani pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for Haj. 

Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi accompanied by Mufti Muhammad Umar Farooq, Mufti Hafiz-ur-Rehman, Maulana Asad Zikriya, Maulana Hussain Ahmed Darkhwasti, Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Abdul Hameed Sabri, Maulana Zubair Zahid, Maulana Muhammad Amjad Muhavia, Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Abid and other Muftis associated with ‘Dar-ul-Afta’ Pakistan Ulema Council announced the Code of Conduct.

The pilgrims were also directed to say prayers in mosques nearby their residences as saying prayers in vicinity of Haram is all equal. The youths have been urged to take care of elderly and sick pilgrims from their respective groups. 

The pilgrims have also been directed not to take any medicine with them without doctors’ prescription.  The pilgrims are also instructed to cooperate with the security personnel of Saudi Arabia in Harem and avoid sitting on pathways in the vicinity of Haram. 

During ‘Mana, Arafat and Muzdalfa’, pilgrims should follow instructions and guidelines of Saudi ‘Muhalim and guides’.  Talking to the media, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi stated that the enemies of Muslims and Islam could move to disrupt peace and sanctity of Harmain Al-Sharifain; therefore, pilgrims from all over Islamic world realizing this scenario should ensure the implementation of Saudi rules and regulations to ensure peace of Harmain Al-Sharifain. 

In case of any emergency or crisis, the pilgrims should coordinate with Complaint Cells of Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs and Complain Cells of Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.  The council has also constituted a ‘Complaint Cell’ for Pakistani pilgrims to redress any issue in Saudi Arbia and training workshops are also being arranged all over Pakistan to assist pilgrims, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.