Minister Of Religion: Saudi Ulama Fatwa Calls Non-Procedural Hajj Illegal

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas during a meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4/2024). (LATARA/Asep Firmansyah.

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said whoever performs the pilgrimage non-procedurally then his worship is considered invalid, as has the fatwa issued by the Saudi Arabian Royal Ulema Council.

"The Saudi Arabian government through the fatwa issued, anyone who will use non-procedural methods for their worship, then their worship is not considered legal," said the Minister of Religion after holding a meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 30.

Minister of Religion Yaqut explained that the fatwa was issued as a firm action by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bring order to those who misuse visas, outside of applicable regulations.

According to him, in the implementation of the pilgrimage, only two visas apply, namely Hajj and Mujammalah visas. Meanwhile, other visas such as pilgrimage visas and ummal (workers) cannot be used for Hajj.

Therefore, he asked the Indonesian people not to be tempted by the offers to perform Hajj without going through the queues circulating on social media.

Previously on social media, it was found that someone who claimed to be able to send Hajj without queues via pilgrimage or ummal visas. In fact, the implementation of the pilgrimage has been regulated in Law Number: 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

Then in addition, the average waiting list for Indonesian regular pilgrims is more than 20 years.

"It was conveyed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah, clearly that the regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are not allowed to be used for visas other than official visas for Hajj. There will definitely be firm action from there," he said.

In line with Yaqut, Saudi Arabian Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah said it would impose sanctions on those who impose non-procedural Hajj.

"If it is proven that the pilgrimage or coming there is not procedural, it will not be allowed, it will be sanctioned," said Tawfiq.

According to him, the non-procedural Hajj prohibition fatwa was issued by the Saudi Arabian Ulema Council. Non-procedural pilgrims will also not be guaranteed safety.

"We are coordinating with the Ministry of Religion to ensure that those who promote the implementation of Hajj with unprocedural visas are all untrue," he said.