Saudi Arabia isn’t the model for practising Islam, but if there’s a country that should defy #COVID19 and resume religious activities, it’s the kingdom. And this isn’t just because the Saudis are the custodians of Islam’s two holiest sites. The lockdown has cost them billions.
Religious activities have been a buffer of Saudi economy. They were generating about $12 billion annually from Hajj and Umrah, accounting for 20% of their non-Oil GDP, and aspiring to increase it to $150 in the next two years, as a part of their bids to ease dependence on Oil.
Now the country is at an economic crossroads, so much that they’ve tripled VATs and dealing with drastic budget deficits. And yet they haven’t decided to reopen and allow religious gatherings yet. The reason is simply because they are not being ruled by a Ganduje or a Masari.
If the Saudis have prioritized the sentiments of those anxious to return to the mosque and the revenues to attract from regulated religious gatherings, they would’ve long reopened to cushion the economic blow dealt it by the fast-spreading virus.
Unlike some of us, the Saudis know the implication of resuming religious gatherings now. Those supporting the state governments that have okayed Jumu’ah and Eid prayers here are misreading the danger ahead. The consequent health crisis is a challenge Nigeria isn’t prepared for.
You assume the lockdowns and curfews haven’t been effective, but that’s because you’ve not experienced the other alternatives yet. The essence of the restrictions isn’t to entirely prevent the spread of the virus, it’s to minimize it.
And, even psychologically, the lockdown has amplified the danger of the strange disease. We are at a war, and nobody should expect an easy life in this uncertain time. Be careful of what you wish for. I don’t blame the state governments that are running states within a state now.
