Nahdlatul Ulama Supports The Original Solo Company For Fisheries Of Jemaah Hajj And Umrah In Arabia

Illustration of pilgrims from Indonesia performing worship at the departure of 2022. (ANTARA)

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) supports one of the companies from Solo, Central Java, as the operator or provider of catering for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia.

"We appreciate that this company has penetrated the international market," said NU Chairman Ahmad Fahrur Rozi Burhan during his visit to Pepe Land Boyolali River, Central Java, Monday, January 16, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the company PT Hati Barokah Investama (HBI), will not only serve pilgrims and Umrah from Indonesia but also from Southeast Asia.

"This is a step forward, we appreciate the indigenous company. Moreover, Pak Puspo (the owner of the company, ed.) already has 30 years experience in the culinary field," he said.

He said this achievement was also a good step for Indonesia to introduce Indonesian culinary to the international market.

On the other hand, this achievement will also open up new jobs.

"How many people will be sent there. This has the effect of the economic revival of SMEs. If Indonesian catering can be victorious there, a lot of materials from Indonesia will be exported there, rice can be rice, vegetables, fish, side dishes, Indonesian-style things," he said.

Moreover, he said, every year there are millions of Umrah pilgrims who come to Saudi Arabia. Especially from Indonesia, the number of Umrah pilgrims can reach 1.3 million people every year.

"This will be increased by 2030, maybe it will increase 3-5 times compared to today. So this is a big opportunity. So that there is a hajj ecosystem, our pilgrims are very large coming to Saudi Arabia, there can be 200,000 people in a year," he said.

He hopes that, as the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia will not only send money and pilgrims to Saudi Arabia but also bring in a lot of foreign exchange for the country.

"Congregants get quality and halal food, income becomes foreign exchange and increases taxes. I also support Muslim entrepreneurs because they certainly pay zakat. Yes, pay taxes, yes zakat," he said.