Ministry Of Religion Temporarily Stops Catering For Indonesian Pilgrims In Mecca

Director of Hajj Development of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Arsad Hidayat/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion continues to provide socialization regarding the temporary suspension of catering services to pilgrims for three days in Mecca, namely the 7th, 14, and 15th of Zulhijah 1444 Hijri.

Ahead and after the peak of the hajj, catering services in Mecca will temporarily stop. Precisely on 7 Zulhijah and 14 and 15 Zulhijah 1444 Hijri," said Director of Hajj Development at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Arsad Hidayat, quoted from Antara, Sunday, June 11.

The massive socialization regarding the temporary cessation of catering, he continued, is expected to be understood and pilgrims can prepare independently by buying food at a number of traders selling near the hotel.

The temporary suspension of catering services on these dates, said Arsad, was because conditions in Mecca were already very congested and pilgrims from around the world were already in Mecca, so there were frequent congestion and it was not possible for the catering distribution process to be carried out.

"Never mind the remote area, the area close to only about two kilometers must be reached for a long time. If there are catering, it is likely that it will be too late until the congregation," he said.

Arsad emphasized that the temporary suspension of the catering also applies to the elderly (elderly), so they must also prepare themselves.

"This (temporary suspension of catering) for all including the elderly. They must prepare themselves. Even if the elderly cannot prepare themselves, then the assistant must help so that the elderly can still consume food," said Arsad.

In the peak phase of Hajj, namely on 8 to 13 Zulhijah, pilgrims will still get catering services, both in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).

"PPIH has collaborated with muassasah/masyariq to prepare 16 times of catering services in the Armuzna phase," said Arsad.

Especially for the congregation who took the initial nafar, returning to Mecca on 12 Zulhijah, they also had not received catering services at the hotel because at that time the catering service was still centered in Mina.

The catering service at hotels in Mecca will begin to be returned to 16 Zulhijah 1444 Hijri. This service will be given to pilgrims whose catering packages are 66 meals in Mecca," said Arsad.