The Ministry Of Religion Calls The Requirements For Recommendation Of Umrah Passport Of Immigration Authority

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion conveyed that the requirement for the use of recommendations for handling Umrah passports from the Ministry of Religion which was revoked was the immigration authority.

"Immigration is the one who requires it. So if it is revoked, it is in accordance with its authority. Hopefully it can make it easier for the congregation," said Ministry of Religion spokesman Anna Hasbie as quoted by Antara, Sunday, February 26.

He stated that the provisions for the use of recommendations for handling Umrah passports from the Ministry of Religion were issued by the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as the party authorized to issue passports in 2017.

Around the beginning of March 2017, Anna said, the Ministry of Religion received a circular from the Directorate General of Immigration regarding additional requirements in the form of recommendations from the Ministry of Religion in the process of obtaining Umrah passports.

"In the past, those who required the Ministry of Religion's recommendation were the Directorate General of Immigration. So since the first there has been no attempt by the Ministry of Religion to complicate the issuance of Umrah," he explained.

He added that at that time the Ministry of Religion was asked to inform the Regional Office of the Regency/City Ministry of Religion about the additional requirements so that they could follow up.

"The circular from the Directorate General of Immigration was then informed to the District/City Ministry of Religion to be followed up. Because it has been revoked, later the congregation will no longer need to ask for recommendations from the Ministry of Religion," he said.