Deputy Minister Of Religion Hopes Saudi Arabia Will Immediately Provide Certainty Regarding Hajj This Year

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Religion, Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi, hopes that the Saudi Arabian government will immediately provide certainty regarding the policy for organizing the pilgrimage this year after lifting most of the restrictions implemented to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

"I hope this is a sign that the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage in 1443 H/2022 AD will be opened to all countries, including Indonesia", said Zainut as quoted in a ministry press release received in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, March 9.

The Ministry of Religion is preparing for the implementation of Hajj services while waiting for the certainty of Saudi Arabia's policy regarding the implementation of the pilgrimage. The preliminary team from the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization of the Ministry of Religion is already in Saudi Arabia to prepare services for Indonesian pilgrims in the Holy Land.

In addition, the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah has prepared a scenario to respond to Saudi Arabia's latest policies and their impact on the implementation of Hajj services, including the cost of hajj travel.

Zainut hopes that Saudi Arabia will immediately invite countries sending hajj pilgrims to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding the implementation of hajj services, which includes setting quotas for hajj pilgrims.

After there is certainty regarding the quota for Hajj pilgrims, the Ministry of Religion can finalize preparations for the implementation of Hajj services.

"Hopefully there will be certainty soon so that Gus Minister can immediately go to Saudi to take strategic steps in preparing for the implementation of the Hajj", said Zainut.

The Saudi Arabian government has revoked most of the rules imposed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, including regulations regarding the obligation to undergo RT-PCR tests, maintain social distance, and wear masks in open places as well as quarantine rules for travelers.

The Director-General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion, Hilman Latief, said that the government would align policies regarding Umrah services with the latest policies of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

"We hope that the Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Prevention Agency can take steps to harmonize it", said Hilman.