Marak Rejects Hajj Fee Of Rp. 69 Million, The Ministry Of Religion Plans To Socialize The Principles Of Istitaah To The Congregation

A prayer bus to escort Indonesian pilgrims from the hotel to the Grand Makkah Mosque in June 2022 (ANTARA-Desi P)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) will socialize the principles of istithah to prospective Indonesian pilgrims in the midst of various rejections of the plan to increase the pilgrimage to Rp69 million.

The principle of istithah in the pilgrimage is not only related to funds, but also the physical and health abilities of prospective pilgrims.

In its socialization, the Ministry of Religion will cooperate with State Islamic Religious Universities (PTKIN) and the Provincial Ministry of Religion Regional Office.

"To the Regional Office and PTKIN, later there will be issues that can be explored, including a more comprehensive concept of istithah, how to make it irrational," said Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization (PHU) Hilman Latief in a written statement, Monday, February 6, confiscated by Antara.

Hilman said the Ministry of Religion had conducted an intensive study involving experts, then held a Mudzakarah for Indonesian Studies, which specifically discussed the concept of istithah, both amaliyah, health, and in the context of socio-political issues since 2022.

He hopes that this concept of istithah can be discussed with Islamic organizations whose numbers are quite large. If possible, he continued, there can be discussions within these organizations to build awareness about the challenges of organizing the hajj in the future.

"In addition to involving universities and regional offices, we also hope to be included in Islamic organizations with a large number of congregations, so that they can be immediately socialized," he said.

Hilman also hopes that PTKIN can be involved in preparing a more well-maintained budget structure while at the same time encouraging the creation of a hajj ecosystem.

"PTKIN can also be involved in compiling a budget structure and encouraging the creation of a hajj ecosystem that is currently not well exploited," he said.