Discussions with government and central bank continue to secure foreign currency for the 1406 Hajj

Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Seyyed Abdolfattah Navab paid tribute to the late Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani and noted that efforts are underway with the government and central bank to secure appropriate currency for the 1406 Hajj.

Speaking at the opening of the 36th Hajj synergy meeting held in the holy city of Qom with the presence of representatives from the offices of Grand Ayatollah Marajae, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Seyyed Abdolfattah Navab offered condolences on the passing of Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani and Grand Ayatollah Fayyadh. He also commemorated the late Imam Khomeini, the martyr-imam of the ummah, the martyrs, and prominent scholars of the Islamic world, while also marking the upcoming martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA).

Referring to his meetings with Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Navab stated that every audience with him offered educational, moral, and behavioural insights, describing his conduct as continuously instructive. He added that efforts were made to make the most of every moment in his presence, noting that the late grand ayatollah paid attention to reports presented to him and offered valuable guidance.

In another part of his remarks, the Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs reviewed the various periods of organizing the Hajj following the Islamic Revolution, stating that three distinct eras with specific conditions and features have passed. He identified the first period as the 1980s, the second from the tenure of Ayatollah Reyshahri in the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization until prior to the Mina incident, and the third as beginning with the Mina incident, which was subsequently impacted directly by sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic, and post-pandemic conditions.

Stating that the third period has been accompanied by more difficult conditions, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Navab pointed to current restrictions, noting that virtually all airports in Saudi Arabia except the Medina airport remain closed. Emphasizing the status of foreign currency and its associated difficulties, he stressed that protecting the rights of pilgrims must be prioritized.

Highlighting the necessity of government support for pilgrimage travel expenses, the Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs said that follow-ups regarding the 1406 Hajj and consultations with the government and the Central Bank to allocate appropriate currency are ongoing, taking into account the country's currency situation. He noted that in the second half of Aban, a delegation from the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization headed by Mr Rashidian will travel to Saudi Arabia to pursue affairs related to the 1406 Hajj.

Addressing the Umrah pilgrimage in another part of his remarks, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Navab stated that negotiations to establish the conditions for this pilgrimage are ongoing, and the government will determine the status of the required currency for Umrah to enable proper planning in this regard.