15 Prospective Hajj Pilgrims From South Sumatra OKU Died, Had A Departure Schedule In 2020 But Were Hampered By COVID

Head of Head of Hajj Ministry of Religion OKU, Abdul Muis (Photo via Antara)

OKU - The Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra recorded as many as 15 hajj candidates (calhaj) from that area died before leaving for the Holy Land.

"So far, 15 calhaj have died and on average they are over 50 years old," said Head of Hajj and Umrah Ministry of Religion OKU Abdul Muis in Baturaja, Antara, Thursday, February 10.

The seats of prospective pilgrims who died were not forfeited, because they could be replaced by heirs, such as children, husbands, parents or siblings.

He explained that the 15 prospective pilgrims who died were pilgrims who were supposed to go to Mecca in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their departure schedule had to be postponed.

However, he said, according to government policy, prospective pilgrims who died and had paid the Hajj Organizing Fee (BPIH) could be replaced by family members.

Muis explained that the overall number of prospective OKU pilgrims who are ready to leave for the Holy Land in 2022, is 297 people or still the same as the previous quota.

However, he continued, his party could not confirm whether the hundreds of pilgrims this year could go for Hajj or not, because there was no official explanation from the central government.

"God willing, this year we can go for Hajj because if we refer to the policy of the Government of Saudi Arabia which has begun to allow Muslims to perform Umrah, it is very likely that the same will apply to the pilgrimage," he said.

While waiting for the policy from the central government, he continued, his party is currently preparing guidance such as Hajj rituals for pilgrims during the waiting period before departure to Mecca.

"This guidance is not only given to prospective pilgrims who will depart this year, but also for waiting lists for the next 30 years," he said.

The Ministry of Religion will design coaching programs such as gatherings to discuss the pilgrimage session, Islamic issues and Hajj rituals.

His party will prepare a concept for how to greet him, online or offline considering that he is currently still in a pandemic condition. "Actually, this idea is a discourse from the Indonesian Ministry of Religion. Therefore, we are still waiting for instructions from the central government to implement it," he said.