We at the European Muslim League can not begin to imagine the heartbreak caused to pilgrims who have had their trips to Makkah cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
For millions of Muslims the chance to perform umrah or hajj is a once in a lifetime opportunity, an event which is often a life-changing or reaffirming commitment to Islam.
The decision by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to temporarily suspend entry to the kingdom to prevent coronavirus spread can not have been an easy one to make. Travel has also been suspended to Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina.
However at EML we and all of our global ambassadors of peace are united in the view that this was the only course of action open to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"This virus is complex but it can spread quickly wherever there are large gatherings. In order to combat coronavirus and contain it, it is essential we all co-operate with the advice of health officials in our localities.
"My thoughts go out to the would-be worshippers who were looking forward to performing their pilgrimage to Makkah," said EML President Alfredo Maiolese in a letter to concerned Muslim groups.
The coronavirus has already had a dramatic effect on Islamic worship across the Muslim world and in Iran there has been a cancelling of Friday prayers in major cities.
The virus has now spread to more than 25 other countries around the world including the US, the UK, Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.
Coronavirus is no respecter of boundaries, faiths, nationalities or culture. We are all at risk and to this end we must act in a calm and panic-free manner to overcome this global public health emergency.
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