Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Affirms Umrah Visa Cannot Be Used For Hajj

Archives - Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Ma'ruf Amin when opening the Ijtma' Ulama of the Indonesian Fatwa Commission VIII at the Bahrul Ulum Sungailiat Islamic Boarding School, Wednesday (29/5/2024). BETWEEN/Aprionist

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma’ruf Amin emphasized that pilgrimage or Umrah visas should not be used for the pilgrimage, because it will have consequences for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. “ Later there will be difficulties faced by the congregation. Then there (they) can't have a pilgrimage either because if you don't use a Hajj visa you can't enter, ” said the Vice President after reviewing the departure of pilgrims from Aceh, at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Aceh, Antara, Wednesday, May 29. Ma’ruf appealed to travel agents to comply with immigration rules and not abuse Umrah visas for Hajj. "The Ministry of Religion will also continue to regulate this Umrah travel in the future so that it doesn't get into trouble with the Saudi Arabian government. Don't make problems for our congregation, ” he said. Recently, a video circulated on social media regarding the hajj visa raid carried out by the Saudi Arabian authorities in Makkah. In the 40-second video uploaded by the Hajj and Umrah agent Dwins Travel on his Instagram account, Saudi security officers can be seen combing the hotel area and detaining pilgrims on the buses. Based on the information in the video, it was stated that about eight buses carrying a group of pilgrims were detained by the local security forces and were not allowed to enter Makkah. “ There are raids in hotels in Makkah for illegal pilgrims who do not have Hajj visas, such as pilgrimage visas. For friends, please pay attention if you want to worship, worship correctly and according to the rules, ” according to the information that accompanies the upload. Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Religion had warned that Saudi Arabia would implement strict rules regarding visas, especially during the 1445 Hijri/2024 pilgrimage to minimize the misuse of the use of non-hajj visas. The Ministry of Religion stated that the use of Umrah visas this year can only be used by pilgrims a maximum of up to 15 Zulkaidah 1445 Hijri or which coincides with May 24, 2024. The government of Saudi Arabia regulates the use of Umrah visas which are only valid three months from the completion of the issuance date. However, coinciding with the Hajj season, Umrah visas can only be used until the set time.

For this reason, Umrah pilgrims are advised to return to Indonesia before the specified deadline.