Doha: The Sharia Unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission has convened a coordination meeting with religious scholars accompanying 18 Qatari Hajj campaigns ahead of this year's pilgrimage season. The move was part of the preparations for this pilgrimage season in terms of Dawah and guidance aspects, as well as the combined efforts the mission undertakes to provide religious support to the pilgrims of Qatar while they perform rites.
According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting is a component of the strategic plan pursued by Qatar's Awqaf Ministry, focusing on advancing the guidance services provided to pilgrims and strengthening their religious awareness. Head of the Sharia Unit at the Qatari mission, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, emphasized the critical role of scholars in strengthening pilgrims' awareness and guiding them to perform the rites correctly in accordance with the Sharia and Prophetic Sunnah.
Sheikh Al Mahmoud highlighted the importance of discipline and righteousness in interactions, especially during crowded times at the Holy Sites. He urged pilgrims to seize the opportunity of these blessed days to engage in supplication and reading the Holy Qur'an. It was suggested that pilgrims should be escorted during their time at multiple Holy Sites to ensure they correctly follow Sharia guidance.
The unit and accompanying Sharia scholars will be present on-site starting from Mina, continuing through the events at Mount Arafat, and during the night in Muzdalifa to provide fatwas and respond to inquiries. Sheikh Al Mahmoud noted that the scholars, primarily Qatari, are highly qualified in Islamic science and Sharia, chosen to deliver religious lessons as part of an integrated program promoting Sharia awareness.
The unit will maintain direct and constant coordination with the communication and support unit to serve pilgrims round-the-clock, enabling prompt responses to emergency inquiries within tents at the Holy Sites. Sheikh Al Mahmoud encouraged campaign operators to continuously work with scholars to facilitate successful guidance programs, noting that the tents are equipped with all necessary amenities.
The meeting also addressed contemporary jurisprudence matters and Sharia inquiries received in recent days, agreeing to unify answers to create a consistent Sharia narrative. Additionally, discussions included the logistics of pilgrim transportation via the Holy Sites' trains and the importance of assisting Qatari pilgrims in adhering to commutation regulations.
The meeting underscored the importance of pilgrims following instructions from the Qatari Mission and authoritative agencies in Saudi Arabia to ensure smooth and safe movement amidst large crowds. As the meeting concluded, Sheikh Al Mahmoud expressed satisfaction with the readiness and coordination between various mission units and campaign operators.
He reaffirmed that the achievements demonstrate Qatar's commitment, represented by the Awqaf Ministry and the Mission, to provide excellent Sharia care to pilgrims, ensuring they perform rites in a peaceful environment.