393 Acehnese Have Been Worshiping Umrah Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Archives - A number of prospective Umrah pilgrims walk at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Saturday (8/1/2022). (BETWEEN PHOTOS/FAUZAN)

BANDA ACEH - The Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) of Aceh Province said the 393 residents of Indonesia's westernmost province had departed for Umrah in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So far, 393 people from Aceh have departed for Umrah," said the Head of the Aceh Ministry of Religion's Regional Office, Iqbal, in Banda Aceh, as reported by Antara, Friday, March 11.

The pilgrims departed through Umrah travel agents in Tanah Rencong, including 64 people for Umrah travel from PT Sarmaniya, 34 people from PT Al Qeblah, 40 people from PT Luzi Benjawas, 35 people from PT Asia Dzahab, 95 people from PT Mabaja and 125 people from the PPI Amera Mecca branch.

"All departed through travel, they had already left for Umrah and had returned to Aceh," said Iqbal.

According to Iqbal, the Indonesian Ministry of Religion is still implementing a one-door policy scheme for Umrah departures. Therefore, all pilgrims from the province nicknamed Bumi Veranda of Mecca departed for Saudi Arabia via the capital city of Jakarta.

"We hope that all prospective Umrah pilgrims can depart smoothly after being delayed for two years due to the pandemic," said Iqbal.

In addition, Iqbal also conveyed the opportunity for Indonesia's Hajj departure in 2022. The Indonesian Ministry of Religion is trying to coordinate with the Government of Saudi Arabia to obtain a quota for Hajj in 2022.

"There are signs for the departure of hajj pilgrims, with the departure of Umrah pilgrims in 2022, especially after the latest information that the Saudi Arabian government has revoked the policy of removing the need for PCR tests and quarantine," said Iqbal.

Currently, said Iqbal, the people of Aceh are very enthusiastic in registering for Hajj even though they are still in a state of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing the government to cancel Hajj departures for two years.

"The number of registrants to date is 130,588 people, with an Aceh quota of 4,298 people per year and a waiting period of 31 years," said Iqbal.

"For hajj and umrah travel, we hope that the service and handling of health protocols can be handled properly, passed with perfect coaching and education," he said.