Ready To Conduct Hajj Evaluation, Minister Of Religion Denies Anti-Critic Accusations

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas denied his assumption of being an anti-critic. The accusation arose related to the minimalist response shown by the Ministry of Religion after receiving a number of questions related to the implementation of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

Yaqut emphasized that his party will evaluate the 1445 Hijri Hajj event in the near future. Including if he is summoned by the 2024 Hajj Special Committee which has begun to be initiated by a number of factions in the DPR.

"We will follow all processes (evaluation from the special committee) because all processes are protected by the constitution and allowed. So we will follow them all," he said when meeting reporters at Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, East Jakarta, on Thursday.

He said he would fulfill the summons to meet with lawmakers who are members of the special committee. Even though personally or institutionally, he has not received and received an official invitation letter.

The existence of criticism from various parties regarding the implementation of the pilgrimage is interpreted as an open supervision by the Minister of Religion of Yaqut. He emphasized that the existing criticism is not only interpreted as to improve Hajj services, but also to all religious communities in Indonesia.

"We are very open to criticism. So all our criticisms are welcome, give us criticism, because criticism is vitamins for us," he said.

Previously, during the operational closing ceremony for the implementation of the 1445 Hijri pilgrimage, the Minister of Religion said the mission was a success. One of them can be seen from the absence of significant incidents on the journey of the congregation since arrival, the peak of organizing the Hajj in Armuzna, to their return to the country

The success of organizing the pilgrimage was also formulated by the Ministry of Religion with formula 4-3-5. The formula is described as the first four achievements during Hajj 1445 Hijri, three developments in the Hajj economic ecosystem, and five 2024 Hajj innovations.

"So we also need to convey and this is not too much, I think, if it is called (the implementation of) the 2024 Hajj is successful and much better than in previous years," said Minister of Religion Yaqut.

The Minister of Religion said that the return of all pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to the country indicated the completion of the 2024 Hajj operation. Although, there are still 46 pilgrims who are still being treated for illness, and all of them are fully financed by the government.