Minister Of Religion Yaqut: Smooth Umrah Is A Consideration For Saudi Arabia To Open The Gate For Prospective Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said the Ministry of Religion had made a scenario for the departure of Umrah pilgrims after they were allowed to visit Saudi Arabia. Starting from departure, while in Saudi Arabia, until arriving in the country.

According to him, the smooth implementation of the Umrah pilgrimage during the COVID-19 pandemic will be a consideration for the Saudi Arabian authorities in opening the implementation of the Hajj for prospective pilgrims from Indonesia.

"So the key to whether or not the Hajj will be open in 1443 Hijri will depend on how well we can carry out this Umrah", said Minister of Religion Yaqut at a Working Meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives at the House of Representatives building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 30.

Minister of Religion Yaqut revealed that the Ministry of Religion entourage along with several members of the Indonesian House of Representatives had met with Saudi Arabian officials to ensure the implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

During his visit, he said, the Ministry of Religion had discussed the implementation of the 1443 Hijri Hajj. However, until now there has been no decision and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia.

"Indeed, there is no definite answer because it depends on how well we can organize this Umrah", he said.

Yaqut said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was very important in preparing for the implementation of the hajj, which included the amount of the quota, technical provisions for Hajj operations, including the provisions for rituals if the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing. Until the health protocol policy during the implementation of the pilgrimage.

He added that the Ministry of Religion was preparing a draft policy and standard for Hajj services which included accommodation, transportation, and catering services with various scenarios for the amount of quota, to health protocol policies in Saudi Arabia.

"If Saudi Arabia has permitted to start preparations for organizing the pilgrimage, we will explore services in Saudi Arabia to initial mapping the availability of quantity and quality of services as well as estimating the cost of services", he concluded.