Highlights Of The Suspension Of Hajj Pilgrims In Muzdalifah, Members Of The DPR Ask The Committee To Prepare An Emergency Strategy

Archives photo: Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Maman Imanul Haq (left three) shaking hands with Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas / ANTARA

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Maman Imanul Haq reminded the government, especially the organizing committee for Hajj in order to prepare an emergency strategy in the future in order to anticipate problems that occur outside of planning. The emergency strategy is important so that the incident of the pilgrimage that has occurred before does not happen again. "Because we don't know there has been a tragedy that occurred in Mina or in Ka’bah when the crane crashed. Now this year it is in Muzdalifah,” Maman Imanul Haq said in a written broadcast received in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, July 2nd. He gave an example that the incident in Muzdalifah that occurred during this year's Hajj can be a lesson for the Hajj committee in the future. The Indonesian pilgrims' group this year experienced a long departure delay from Muzdalifah to Mina. Maman explained that generally the congregation only waited 1–2 hours, but this year it was up to 10 hours. "Regarding that emergency strategy, we have to think about from one location to another, where the accumulation of congregants such as in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina must really be a more systematic thought and can be done quickly because it involves human life," he said. Maman reminded the Hajj committee in the future to pay more attention to the condition of the elderly Indonesian pilgrims. Indonesia's priority for the elderly, according to Maman, must be communicated to the authorities in Saudi Arabia. "Jadi, ramah lansia itu harus diingatkan kepada Pemerintah Arab Saudi bahwa Anda harus menyiapkan banyak pusat kesehatan, posko kedaruratan, dan mempersiapkan yang terbaik untuk para lansia, termasuk misalnya strategi elderly itu datang terakhir lalu pulang lebih dahulu,” katanya. He gave notes to the Indonesian Hajj committee who did not work professionally. According to him, the government must evaluate the performance of the Hajj committee so that if someone does not work professionally, there is no need to be employed in the future. “ Unprofessional, crossed out, don't invite. Then the professional is placed in the right position,” said Maman. The Indonesian Ministry of Religion related to the situation in Muzdalifah explained that the delay occurred, among others, due to traffic jams on the taraddudi (shuttle) bus that took the congregation from Muzdalifah to Mina. Many of these routes are traversed by pilgrims from various other countries who will throw sums upon arrival in Mina. Thus, congestion ensued. “ Taraddudi lines have been crowded with buses that pick up worshipers since morning. Plus many pilgrims choose to walk. This condition hinders the movement of buses that will pick up pilgrims at Muzdalifah,” said Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Indonesian Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief in a written broadcast. Apart from that situation, he ensured that the organizing committee for Hajj immediately went to the field to resolve the problem. As a result, detained pilgrims can gradually depart from Muzdalifah to Mina. Hajj pilgrims from various countries, including Indonesia on Sunday packed the Grand Mosque for prayers and Tawaf Ifadah which is part of the series of hajj pillars. Hilman Latief appealed to exhausted pilgrims to postpone Tawaf Ifadah at the Grand Mosque and rest at the hotel.