Government Considerations Not To Send 2020 Hajj Pilgrims

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The government, through the Minister of Religion, Fachrul Razi, stated that they would not send the Haj pilgrims in 2020 or 1441 Hijriah. This decision was taken based on several considerations related to the COVID-19 period.

"The government has decided not to send Haj pilgrims in 2020 or in 1441 Hijriah," said Fachrul in a press conference via the Ministry of Religious Affairs Youtube, Tuesday, June 2.

One of the considerations for this decision is the adequacy of a longer time. Because, when choosing to continue sending prospective pilgrims to the pilgrimage, they have to go through a long quarantine period. Pilgrims must be quarantined for two weeks at home before leaving for Saudi Arabia. Then, return to quarantine upon arrival and after returning to their homeland.

"There is an additional quarantine period of 14 days before departure, 14 days after arriving in Saudi Arabia and 14 days after arriving back in Indonesia, it also requires every prospective pilgrim to have a COVID-19 free certificate from the authorities," said Fachrul.

Another consideration for cancellation of hajj departures is the matter of maintaining physical distance during worship. This is a concern because pilgrims must implement health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Maintaining physical distance must also be done during the journey to Saudi Arabia, during the prayer process, until arriving back home.

"There must be sufficient space for physical restrictions or physical distancing of pilgrims on planes, in lodgings, as well as in Hajj ritual areas, especially in Arafah Muzdalifah and Mina," said Fachrul.

Then, continued Fachrul, the Saudi Arabian government has also never opened Hajj access from any country. So, the government does not have enough time to make preparations related to services and protection of the congregation.

With these considerations, it was decided not to send the hajj pilgrims in 2020 and it was stated in the Decree of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia number 494 of 2020 concerning the dismissal of pilgrims.

In making this decision, continued Fachrul, the Ministry of Religion had coordinated with Commission VIII DPR-RI and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) both formally and informally.

"Of course the Ministry of Religion has also communicated with our partner Commission VIII in the DPR regarding the development of this situation, both through formal communication with work meetings and direct informal communication," said Fachrul.

Cancellation for all Indonesian citizens

Based on this decision, the cancellation of the pilgrimage departure applies to all Indonesian people, whether using a regular or special visa.

"The cancellation of pilgrims applies to all Indonesian citizens. Not only reguluer, special or invited hajj visas or special visas," said Fachrul.

That way, the Hajj trip in 2020 will be temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 period. This decision was taken to maintain the health of the Indonesian people.

"So this year there will be no hajj departures from Indonesia for all Indonesian citizens," said Fachrul.