Due To The Omicron, The Ministry Of Religion Officially Postpones The Implementation Of The First Umrah Until January 2, 2022

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JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion has officially postponed the implementation of the first Umrah during the pandemic until January 2, 2022, or waiting for the situation related to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 to subside.

Initially, the Ministry of Religion planned the departure of the Umrah pilgrims on December 23, 2021. However, because the first case of Omicron was found in Indonesia, the government decided to postpone sending the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

"We received instructions from the Minister of Religion that Umrah would be postponed following up on the president's directive regarding Omicron", said the Director of Umrah and Special Hajj Development at the Ministry of Religion's Hajj and Umrah Organization, Nur Arifin, Friday, December 17.

"The postponement is at least until January 2, and we will continue to evaluate whether it is possible to depart or not", he continued.

Nur Arifin explained that this delay had been discussed in a government coordination meeting. In this case, the Ministry of Religion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Transportation together with the Association of Umrah Organizers and the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, Friday, December 17, this afternoon.

"We held a meeting together, we conveyed the statement of the Minister of Religion. Then the associations gave their responses ready to implement the presidential or ministerial decisions", he said.

In the meeting, said Nur Arifin, the Umrah Organizing Association suggested that there would still be a small number of departures for the first Umrah pilgrims on December 23, 2021. "But again, the direction of the Minister of Umrah has been postponed", he said.

However, Nur Arifin added, the Ministry of Religion will evaluate the development of COVID-19 in Indonesia after January 2, 2022. If it is confirmed that the spread has subsided, the Ministry of Religion will again discuss the latest Umrah regulation rules and revisions to reference fees.

"The conditions will continue to develop, but the development continues to fluctuate, the situation is not fixed immediately", concluded Nur Arifin.

Previously, Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, 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 community, especially the congregation.

"We in the House of Representatives 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 safety and health of the community, not for other purposes. And this was agreed with the House of Representatives", said Nurhuda when contacted by VOI, Friday, December 17.

However, the Central Java electoral district legislator suggested that the Umrah plan should be postponed first. Following the ban from the government for traveling abroad due to the COVID-19 variant of Omicron which began to spread, especially in Africa, America, and Europe.

"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.

People who still want to go abroad for worship purposes, according to Nurhuda, 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 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.