Minister Of Religion Yaqut Cholil Can Not Make Sure Elderly Can Join Hajj Or Not

Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, stated that the implementation of the Hajj in 2021 is still awaiting a decision from the Saudi Arabian government.

"The Saudi Arabian government has not yet decided whether this year's Hajj will be opened or not," said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil, quoted from Antara, Saturday, March 6.

He said that if there was a decision from the Saudi Arabian government, the government would immediately make technical preparations. He said that currently the government has prepared a number of scenarios.

"But of course this scenario can only work if there is a decision on Hajj from the government of Saudi Arabia, whether it is opened or not. One of the scenarios is this limitation," he said.

He predicted that during the COVID-19 pandemic the pilgrimage would not be carried out normally, including during the trip to Saudi Arabia.

"Like keeping a distance on the plane, then the room which is usually filled with eight people is only used by four people. The signal we get is that there are restrictions on congregation, unlike normal times," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the elderly congregation, his party has not been able to confirm whether they can participate in the pilgrimage.

"We are not certain yet, hopefully we can, but we don't know. That is the policy of the Saudi Arabian government. We are guests, we follow government regulations there," he said.