Indonesia Allowed To Send Conditional Umrah Congregants, DPR: The World Observes Our Pandemic Handling

JAKARTA - The Saudi Arabian government has allowed international pilgrims to perform Umrah 1443 Hijri with several health protocol requirements. However, Indonesia and 8 other countries cannot make direct flights to the Holy Land.

In the latest provisions, pilgrims from these 9 countries are required to transit to quarantine in a third country for 14 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia. Among them, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Lebanon.

Member of Commission VIII of the DPR, Bukhori Yusuf, assessed that the Saudi Arabian government's decision to give special treatment to prospective Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia could not be separated from the constellation of the pandemic in Indonesia.

“This policy indicates that the world is watching us right now. The government's inconsistent model of handling the pandemic has not only generated criticism from the domestic public, but has also become a source of international concern so that it has an impact on their cautious attitude in interacting with our citizens," said Bukhori in his statement, Tuesday, July 27.

The chairman of the PKS DPP said the policy seemed discriminatory. However, Bukhori understands the move is a precautionary and anticipatory gesture by the Saudi Arabian government to control the pandemic in its territory.

On the other hand, he said, quarantine policies in third countries, one of which was addressed to prospective Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia, should be a whip for the Indonesian government to consistently improve the quality of handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I respect Saudi Arabia's decision. And in the end, the key lies with the government. When our handling of the pandemic is very good, of course the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will consider getting direct access so that our Umrah pilgrims can perform worship directly in Saudi Arabia without transiting in other countries. Therefore, the government must immediately control the pandemic," said Bukhori.