Ministry Of Religion Regrets Teasing Of F-PKS DPR Members, Considered Slander About Termination Of Unilateral Calhaj Catering

MEKKAH - The Ministry of Religion regrets that a slanderous tweet was spread by a member of the DPR's Prosperous Justice Party faction Iskan Qolba Lubis through his Twitter account @IskanQL which said that PPIH (Hajj Organizer) Saudi Arabia 1444 H/2023 M unilaterally stopped catering pilgrims.

"Hajj 2023? Today 25/6 @Kemenag_RI stopped catering unilaterally and it didn't match the agreement with the HAJJ DF PANJA, the congregation was forced to pay for it together to buy food, with the congregation who fit in? How come this...??? @FPKSDPRRI," as quoted from the @IskanQL account.

The tweet immediately received the attention of netizens and a response from the Ministry of Religion.

"I deeply regret Mr. Iskan Qolba Lubis' tweet through his Twitter account. The tweet was posted on Tanah Haram, but it contained slander," said Ministry of Religion spokesman Anna Hasbie, in Mecca as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, June 25.

Anna explained that it was true that on the 7th of Zulhijah 1444 H, there was a temporary cessation of Hajj catering in Mecca. The temporary suspension will also be carried out on 14 and 15 Zulhijah 1444H.

"The temporary suspension policy was not taken unilaterally, but the result of an agreement with Commission VIII of the DPR. Is this what I call Mr. Iskan's tweet nuanced slander or maybe Mr. Iskan doesn't know the substance of his agreement?" said Anna.

Anna explained that the residence of Indonesian pilgrims in Mecca, an average of 25 days and within that range, the Ministry of Religion and the DPR agreed that while in Mecca, Indonesian pilgrims would get 66 meals distributed in 22 days.

Another agreement, there are three days of temporary cessation of catering, namely at 7, 14, and 15 Zulhijah. While in the range of 8 - 13 Zulhijah, the congregation will receive catering services at Arafah - Muzdalifah - Mina (Armuzna).

The Ministry of Religion, Anna continued, has even socialized the policy long ago, precisely since June 11, 2023 with the aim that the congregation understands earlier and can prepare themselves.

"Today the congregation bought the food because they already understand the information on the temporary cessation of the catering services that we are socializing," said Anna.

The temporary suspension of catering services on these dates is because conditions in Mecca are already very congested.

Pilgrims from all over the world are already in Mecca, so there are frequent congestion and it is 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 late until the congregation," he continued.

Anna emphasized that the Saudi Arabian PPIH is very open to suggestions and input, however, it should not be slanderous, let alone conveyed through social media.

"All of us invite netizens to be wise in social media and as members of the DPR, Pak Iskan should be able to be role models in goodness, not even conveying something wrong, even leading to slander or hoaxes," he said.