First Umrah In The Middle Of Prohibition To Go Abroad, House Of Representatives Commission VIII: Don't Force It, Worship Can Also Be Done Here

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JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Muhammad Fauzan Nurhuda Yusro, welcomed the plan for the inaugural Umrah which will depart on December 23, 2021. According to him, this good news has been eagerly awaited by the public, especially the congregation.

"We in the DPR have also often received this aspiration, people ask when Umrah will be carried out. We have explained that Umrah is not allowed so far solely for the sake of public safety and health, not for other purposes. And this was agreed with the DPR," said Nurhuda at the time he was contacted by VOI, Friday, December 17.

However, with the reopening of Umrah starting on December 23, Nurhuda invites all relevant stakeholders to seriously pay attention to health protocols. Remember, the pandemic is not over yet.

"It must be carried out in a disciplined and strict manner, including quarantine protocols according to procedures," he said.

The Legislator for the Central Java electoral district admitted that there was indeed a ban from the government for traveling abroad due to the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 which had begun to spread, especially in Africa, America, and Europe.

This prohibition, said Nurhuda, also applies to state officials at all levels of office, except for those carrying out important state duties. As for the community, it is an appeal.

"As stated, the government hopes that Indonesian citizens plan to go abroad to cancel their intention to prevent and keep the pandemic under control in this country," said Nurhuda.

For people who still want to go abroad for worship purposes, according to Nurhuda, they should also listen to the government's appeal.

"Don't force yourself to go abroad. Worship can also be done domestically with the same reward as performing Umrah. Please ask the ulema about this," said the member of the PKB Party faction.

"But for those who really want to perform Umrah, they must strictly adhere to health protocols, including adding booster vaccines to comply with Saudi Arabian regulations," said Nurhuda.

It is known, the Government has officially asked the public not to travel abroad to reduce the potential for transmission of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

"The government requests very, very strongly, for Indonesian citizens who do not have urgent interests not to travel abroad," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi after a limited meeting at the Palace, Monday, December 13.

Even so, it is considered that the appeal will not interfere with the planned Umrah departure which will be held from December 23.

General Chairperson of the Independent Umrah and Hajj Organizing Affiliate (AMPUH) Abdul Azis, assesses that Umrah travel is different from traveling for vacation in the framework of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

According to him, Umrah is a journey as well as worship to get closer to Allah, not a year-end vacation category.

"Umrah is not traveling but going to worship," said Abdul in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 15.

According to Abdul, the governments of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have the same vision to be able to handle the spread of COVID-19 as best as possible. The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), he said, had also arranged in such a way that the implementation of Umrah was still carried out with very strict health procedures.

"So there are no cases (cases, red) that occurred from this umrah," he said.

Moreover, Abdul continued, before leaving and after returning home for Umrah, pilgrims are also required to undergo quarantine for a long time.

"In Indonesia, the day before leaving for Umrah pilgrims, they have entered a one-night quarantine. When they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they are also quarantined for three days. Later they will be quarantined for 10 days, so that the possibility of contracting the infection can be anticipated as early as possible," he explained.