Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Are Disciplined In Using Masks Even Though Saudi Arabia Has Relaxed

Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) Arsad Hidayat. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Congregants of Indonesian Hajj candidates during the implementation of the Umrah and Hajj series 1443 H/2022 M remain disciplined in wearing masks even though the Saudi Arabian government has relaxed the rules for using masks. This was conveyed by the Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) Arsad Hidayat.

"Prospective pilgrims continue to wear masks and I have seen that when performing Friday prayers, most of the pilgrims are very disciplined and still wear masks," said Arsad Hidayat, quoted from the Hajj Media Center in Medina, as reported by Antara, Sunday, June 19.

Arsad said, in principle, Indonesian pilgrims must comply with health protocols by wearing masks.

Arsad saw that most people in Saudi Arabia as well as non-pilgrims of Indonesian Hajj candidates took off their masks while on the move. Meanwhile, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are still wearing masks.

"I think this is a good culture, meaning that they are still maintaining the process. Anticipate the possibility of things that are not desirable," he said.

Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have been educated to keep wearing masks during their activities, especially outdoors because the weather in Saudi Arabia is different from that in Indonesia.

The Head of the Health Section of Daker Mecca, Imran Saleh, advised prospective hajj pilgrims to always wear masks to anticipate extreme weather such as hot temperatures and potential sandstorms.

"Still wearing a mask, we don't know when a sandstorm suddenly occurs," said Imran.

He said that if a sandstorm occurs, it can be dangerous for breathing, because dust and sand can enter the nose. For those who have lung problems the impact will be even more severe. Then dust if it gets in the eye can cause infection.

"Hot temperatures in Saudi are on average 40-45 degrees Celsius and there is a potential for sandstorms to endanger breathing, so pilgrims are still advised to wear masks," he said.