Sardar Yousuf assures Shia pilgrims of full support for performing Hajj rituals; Qurbani according to their Beliefs

MAKKAH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2026) Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Friday assured Pakistani Shia pilgrims that the government was providing comprehensive facilities to ensure the performance of Hajj rituals and the process of ritual animal sacrifice (Qurbani) in strict accordance with their school of thought.

He gave these assurances during his visit to the Al-Aziziya region in Makkah to inspect accommodation facilities, where he met with prominent Shia scholars and pilgrims to review the quality of lodging, catering, and transport services provided to them in Saudi Arabia. The delegation of pilgrims included Agha Muhammad Shifa Najafi, Syed Akhlaq Hussain Kazmi, Tanveer Al-Kazim, Syed Farhan Abbas, and other notable individuals.

During the meeting, the scholars and pilgrims expressed deep satisfaction with the measures taken by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stating that for Hajj 2026, the ministry has firmly stood by them both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, providing complete managerial and structural support.

The scholars informed the Federal Minister that to make the Hajj operation foolproof, the Ministry of Religious Affairs had arranged a pre-departure virtual meeting via Zoom while they were still in Pakistan with the top officials of Saudi Arabia's "Adahi Project" (the official entity responsible for ritual slaughter).

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This allowed them to hold detailed discussions on the jurisprudential requirements and regulations of Qurbani according to their school of thought.

Lauding the arrangements upon reaching Makkah, they added that all their demands were fully accepted in Saudi Arabia. A delegation of their prominent scholars would be physically present at the slaughterhouses during the designated Qurbani hours to ensure all jurisprudential conditions are met.

It is worth noting that according to the Mashaer operations and Mina departure micro-plan finalized by the Pakistan Hajj Mission, all 3,100 Shia pilgrims arriving under the Government Hajj Scheme this year would be transitioned directly to the plains of Arafat on the night of 8th Dhul Hijjah instead of Mina, in line with their specific religious requirements, for which special arrangements have already been completed.

The Federal Minister reiterated that the Government of Pakistan remained committed to ensuring that all Pakistani pilgrims could perform their religious obligations comfortably, safely, and in complete accordance with their respective beliefs without any discrimination.