7,272 South Sulawesi People Cancel Hajj, Head Of Regional Office: It Feels Bitter, Hope You Understand

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JAKARTA - A total of 7,272 prospective pilgrims from South Sulawesi (calhaj) have been confirmed to have canceled their trip to the Holy Land to carry out the 2021 hajj pilgrimage, even though they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The cancellation of the departure of Indonesian calhaj, especially in South Sulawesi, is in accordance with the Decree of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Number 660 of 2021 which states that the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage will be canceled this year.

"All of the Calhaj have been vaccinated, including for the elderly (elderly) calhaj in anticipation of the instructions for the implementation of the Hajj this year. We have prepared everything," said Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) South Sulawesi Khaeroni in Makassar, as reported by Antara. , Friday, June 4th.

Khaeroni said this decision was taken because until now the Government of Saudi Arabia has not provided certainty regarding the quota for Indonesian Hajj, including prospective pilgrims from other countries.

"I think the time is no longer possible to force it. In addition, the safety and health of the pilgrims is the most important because COVID-19 is still rampant," he said.

Moreover, Law Number 8 of 2019 also gives a mandate to the government to provide protection to pilgrims related to health, security and safety factors.

According to Khaeroni, this decision will also be final based on various cross-sectoral decisions, such as the RI Commission VIII, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transportation, and others regarding the hajj pilgrims.

"To the public, especially prospective pilgrims, we hope that they can accept this decision, it is indeed bitter, but hopefully it can be understood for our common good," he said.