Residents of Zanzibar, Tanzania are receiving increasing attention in the vaccination campaign as the Muslim dominated community is get ready for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
This was revealed by Hussein Mwinyi, the leader of the island who claimed that it was necessary as a pilgrimage to Islam’s holy city, Mecca in Saudi Arabia was only available to those who have vaccinated.
“We understand that last year it wasn’t possible to travel because of COVID restrictions, but this year the Saudi government has announced that it will only allow those who have been vaccinated,” he said.
The Zanzibar government had formed a task force to review the country’s COVID-19 protocols and the task force advised the government to consider a mass vaccination program.
The task force was formed by Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took over as president in March following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, who was considered a COVID sceptic.
Magufuli had called for mass prayers to defeat coronavirus – and rejected calls for the country to acquire COVID vaccines.
President Samia, who had served as his deputy, has however recently taken more caution and been seen wearing face masks and has been more upfront about the challenges of the pandemic.
This year the Hajj pilgrimage will take place in mid-July. Muslims are required to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their life if they are physically able and can afford to do so.
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