Saudi Ministry Of Hajj And Ministry Of Religion Form Mashariq Service Investigation Team

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, in Mecca. Saudi Arabia. BETWEEN/HO-MCH 2023

MEKKAH - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah together with the Ministry of Religion formed a mashariq service investigation team at the peak of Hajj in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

"We have made a joint team, God willing, for the next two weeks or a maximum of two, the results of the investigation will be obtained," said Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 3.

Saudi Arabian Hajj and Umrah Minister Taufiq F Al-Rabiah, continued Minister of Religion Yaqut, also admitted that he felt pain for the conditions experienced by Indonesian pilgrims.

"This I quote the statement of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia 'I also feel the pain you feel and I apologize for this unpleasant incident. God willing, this will be the last time'. That's what he told me," said Minister of Religion Yaqut.

The Minister of Religion imitated the expression of his friend Taufik F Al Rabiah and at the same time emphasized that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia was committed to resolving the problem.

"I know very well that the Minister (Taufiq F Al Rabiah) has a strong commitment, so I am optimistic that improvements will occur in the implementation of the Hajj next year," he said.

In the peak phase of Hajj in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina, a number of problems have an impact on the congregation. The service that is the responsibility of the mashariq cannot be given optimally, so it is detrimental to the congregation.

Some of the problems that arose included Arafah's tents that had been entered by non-coota pilgrims, delays in departure from Muzdalifah to Mina, so that the pilgrims were overheated, clean water and sanitation problems in Mina, to delays in catering for pilgrims.

Kita tahu, kemarin, baik di Arafah, Muzdalifah, maupun Mina, banyak persoalan yang terkait dengan pelayanan yang diberikan oleh pihak mashariq atau perusahaan yang ditunjuk Pemerintah Arab Saudi," katanya.

During the meeting with the Minister of Hajj, Minister of Religion Yaqut conveyed several problems during the peak of the hajj.

"Previously, we also met Mashariq to protest strongly for the services they provide," said Minister of Religion Yaqut after holding the Post-Armuzna Service Preparation Coordination in Mecca, Sunday (2/7).

The meeting between Minister of Religion Yaqut and Minister Taufiq took place on June 30, 2023 at the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Minister Taufiq's room. After the meeting, the two of them jointly attended Haflatul Hajj Al-Khuji or the closing celebration of the implementation of the pilgrimage.

The Minister of Religion is committed to trying to perfect the service into the final phase of organizing this year's Hajj, namely the repatriation of pilgrims which will start from July 4 to August 2, 2023.

After-Armuzna, continued the Minister of Religion, his party will improve the services provided, starting from consumption, prayer buses, accommodation, and all those related to services that must be provided by the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Health.

"We will fulfill this responsibility completely and as well as possible. I ask for prayers, all fellow journalists and all Indonesian people so that what we are trying to do is improve services together with the Government of Saudi Arabia can really be achieved as expected," he said.

The same thing was conveyed by the Head of the Saudi Arabian Hajj Organizing Officer (PPIH) 1444 H Subhan Cholid who said the Saudi Arabian government had apologized to the Ministry of Religion.

They promised to conduct an investigation and the results will be submitted in the next one or two weeks.

"That result is what we are waiting for the details. Why (in Armuzna) can get like that, what is the cause, this is what we are waiting for," said Subhan.

Asked about compensation, Subhan emphasized that his party is still waiting for the results of an investigation by the Government of Saudi Arabia because the service in Armina is part of a mandatory service from the Government of Saudi Arabia.

"We are waiting for the results of the investigation. Whether there will be compensation and so on, we will wait for the results of the investigation," said Subhan.