COVID Is Still High, MUI Supports Ministry Of Religion's Steps To Delay Hajj Departure And Asks People To Be Patient

Press conference on Hajj at the Ministry of Religion Office (Photo: ANTARA/HO)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) asks the public to be patient and wait for the time to depart for the Holy Land, in line with the government's decision not to depart for Hajj this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We invite pilgrims who do not leave this year to remain patient. If they are successfully dispatched next year, of course they will be prioritized. Departure for this pilgrimage is only a matter of time," said MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan at the Ministry of Religion Office as quoted by Antara, Thursday, June 3. .

His party appreciated the Ministry of Religion's move to cancel the departure of pilgrims. This is because the Ministry of Religion's steps prioritize safety principles due to the high transmission rate of COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants of the virus.

"Maintaining and maintaining health is obligatory, performing the pilgrimage is also obligatory. The difference is that the pilgrimage that we perform is in accordance with our ability, of course we must be physically healthy. In this pandemic saving lives is something that must be prioritized," he said.

Previously, the Government through the Ministry of Religion again decided not to dispatch prospective hajj pilgrims in the 2021 AD/1442 Hijriyah hajj season.

"Because it is still a pandemic and for the safety of the pilgrims, the government has decided that this year it will not send back Indonesian pilgrims," said the Minister of Religion.

The cancellation of the departure of the pilgrims was based on the Decree of the Minister of Religion Number 660/2021. The decision was also taken after coordination with various parties such as the Indonesian House of Representatives, ministries/agencies, religious organizations, travel associations, and a number of other elements.

The reason for not departing for Hajj is because Saudi Arabia has not opened access to Hajj for foreign pilgrims, including Indonesia. As a result, the government does not have enough time to provide services and protection for pilgrims

In addition, safety and security are a priority because the emergence of a new variant of the corona virus in a number of countries is feared to endanger the lives of prospective pilgrims.