No Hurry, Ministry Of Religion Claims Cancellation Of Hajj Has Been Understood

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion denies the assumption that it is in a hurry in deciding the cancellation of the departure of the 2021 Hajj pilgrims. The reason is that the decision announced by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Coumas has been carried out through an in-depth study.

"The decision is of course based on an in-depth study, both from the health aspect, the implementation of worship, to the time of preparation. It is not true to say that you are in a hurry,” said the Acting Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization Khoirizi in Jakarta, Friday, June 4.

"The government even carried out a series of discussions, both in the form of work meetings, hearings, and committee meetings with the House of Representatives Commission VIII," he continued.

Khoirizi said, the Ministry of Religion certainly hopes that there will be a hajj this year. In fact, since December 2020, the Ministry of Religion has carried out a series of preparations, as well as formulating mitigation.

"Various scenarios have been prepared, ranging from normal quotas to quota restrictions of 50 percent, 30 percent, 25 percent to 5 percent," he said.

In addition, he continued, preparations for the implementation were also carried out, both at home and abroad. Preparation of domestic services, for example related to flight contracts, payment of pilgrimage travel costs (Bipih), preparation of travel documents, preparation of officers, and implementation of ritual guidance.

Likewise, the preparation of services in Saudi Arabia, both accommodation, consumption, and transportation, including the implementation of the Hajj health protocol scheme, and others.

"However, everything can only be resolved if the amount of the hajj quota has been received from the Saudis," he said.

The Minister of Religion, added Khoirizi, even had time to coordinate virtually with the then Minister of Hajj of Saudi Arabia, namely Saleh Benten, in mid-January 2021 to discuss the implementation of the pilgrimage.

Previously, the Minister of Religion also met the Saudi Arabian Ambassador (Ambassador) Esam Abid Althagafi, and discussed the implementation of the pilgrimage.

“On March 16, I also coordinated with the Saudi Ambassador in his office, discussing the issue of organizing the Hajj. All our efforts are made, despite the fact that until 23 Shawwal 1442 H, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not invited the Government of Indonesia to discuss and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Preparation for the Hajj pilgrimage in 1442 H/2021 AD," he explained.

"This is not even just Indonesia, but all countries. So until now no country has received a quota, because the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding has not yet been carried out," he added.

Khoirizi said this condition had an impact on the preparation of the Hajj pilgrimage. This is because the MoU regarding the preparation of the Hajj pilgrimage in 1442H/2021M has not yet been carried out. In fact, with a quota of 5 percent of the normal quota, the required preparation time is no less than 45 days.

In order to conduct a more thorough study while hoping that the pandemic will end soon, he said, the Ministry of Religion postponed almost 10 days to announce the cancellation. Last year, the cancellation was announced on 10 Shawwal, while this year it was carried out on 22 Shawwal.

"And the conditions are still the same. The pandemic is still life-threatening, Saudi Arabia has also not given certainty. We prioritize the safety of the congregation and decided not to send it," he said.

Previously, member of the House of Representatives Commission VIII, Bukhori Yusuf, assessed that the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Coumas, was too hasty in deciding to cancel the Hajj 1442 H/2021 AD.

“The government's hasty decision to cancel the hajj is unfortunate. Actually, it doesn't matter if only a fraction of the total prospective pilgrims have to leave for our Hajj pilgrims," said Bukhori, Friday, June 4.