Although it has not been officially announced, there are a number of strong signals indicating that the government will not send pilgrims in this year’s haj season.
By
Rini Kustiasih
·6 minutes read
AFP
Workers clean around the Kaaba on August 1, 2020, traced with lines for easing the physical distancing between pilgrims due to the coronavirus, an evening before the last day of circumambulation around the shrine, in the Grand mosque of the holy Saudi city of Mecca, during the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage.
The Saudi Arabian government has not yet decided the quota for Indonesian haj pilgrims this year. The Religious Affair Ministry will announce the final decision on the sending of pilgrims today ((3/6/2021). The safety of pilgrims should be the main consideration.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The House of Representatives (DPR) has let the government decide whether Indonesia will send pilgrims in this year’s haj. In addition to the limited time available for preparation, the lack of certainty regarding the quota from the Saudi Arabian government, the health and safety of pilgrims should be the main considerations in deciding the participation of Indonesia in this year’s pilgrimage, which will take place amid the Covid-19 pandemic
The sending of Indonesian pilgrims was discussed in depth during a working meeting between the House’s Commission VIII and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Quomas at the House complex, Senayan, Jakarta on Wednesday (2/6/2021). However, the decision on whether or not Indonesia would send pilgrims in this year’s haj could not be made during the meeting.
The decision is expected to be announced by Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut at his office in Jakarta on Thursday. "We have discussed all issues regarding the sending of pilgrims with all members of Commission VIII. We could make a decision during the meeting because it still needs further arrangement. God willing, tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) we will announce it at the Religious Affairs Ministry building on Jalan Thamrin ," Yaqut told journalists after a closed meeting with the House members.
Yaqut asked all parties to be patient so that the decision could be well made. "Tomorrow we will inform the public. Be patient, at present, it is still being prepared, so that the information to be announced to the public will not mislead and must be transparent," he said.
Until now, Indonesia is still included on the list of countries whose citizens prohibited from visiting Saudi Arabia. In addition, Indonesia has not yet received confirmation of the hajj quota from the Saudi Arabian government. Another obstacle is the requirement of vaccination for pilgrims. Saudi Arabian authorities only accept pilgrims who have received the Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer vaccines. Indonesians have mostly received Sinovac, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines.
TANGKAPAN LAYAR YOUTUBE KEMENAG RI
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Quomas.
Although it has not been officially announced, there are a number of strong signals indicating that the government will not send pilgrims in this year’s haj season. The chairman of the working meeting, who is also the chairman of the House’s Commission, Yandri Susanto, said that the Commission VIII would support what whatever policies to be taken by the government. The National Mandate Party (PAN) politician even said he would accompany the minister during the announcement.
In line with Yandri, the deputy chairman of the Commission VIII from the Golkar Party (F-PG) faction Ace Hasan Syadzily said that the Golkar Party faction would let the government to decide whether it would send pilgrims in this year’s haj season. However, the Golkar Party faction wanted the government prioritize the safety and health of the pilgrims.
"There are three aspects that we have conveyed, namely aspects of the safety and health of the pilgrims, technical aspects of the haj implementation, and the preparation made by the Saudi Arabian government which has not informed the mechanism in organizing this year\'s haj," said Ace.
The technical aspect of the sending of the pilgrims is also important because the time available for preparation is very limited.
Aspects of the safety and health of the pilgrims, according to Ace, are very important because the problem related to Covid-19 has not been resolved. The Indonesian government has tightened the mobility of citizens to prevent the transmission of Covid-19, including the prohibition of mudik (exodus) during Idul Fitri. A careful consideration must also be taken by the government if it will finally decide to send pilgrims to the Holy Land. The technical aspect of the sending of the pilgrims is also important because the time available for preparation is very limited.
The deputy chairman of the Commission VIII from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (F-PDIP) faction, who is also the chairman of the House Haj Working Committee (Panja), Diah Pitaloka, said she believed the government would make the best decision amid the unfavorable situation. The safety and health of the pilgrims must be a priority in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
AFP PHOTO / HO / SAUDI MINISTRY OF MEDIA
A handout picture provided by Saudi Ministry of Media on July 30, 2020 shows Mulism pilgrims praying on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Mecca, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. - Muslim pilgrims converged today on Saudi Arabia\'s Mount Arafat for the climax of this year\'s hajj, the smallest in modern times and a sharp contrast to the massive crowds of previous years.
Separately, a member of the Commission VIII from the National Awakening Party (F-PKB) faction, Ma-man Imanulhaq, said that the safety of the pilgrims should be the main priority in any worship. The constitution also mandates the state to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, including pilgrims.
Lack of time
According to PKB, the Religious Affairs Ministry has tried their best in conducting diplomacy with Saudi Arabia. If Indonesia is finally given a haj quota, the available time is considered insufficient. The sending of pilgrims must be prepared at least 45 days before the departure.
In fact, according to information, Saudi Arabia will close overseas flights on July 14, 2021. It means that the remaining time for the preparation is less than 45 days. "As we will have less than 45 days, the preparation cannot be made properly, if finally decide to send the pilgrims, “ Maman said.
When asked about the Religious Affair Minister’s plan to announce the government\'s haj decision on Thursday, Maman said it was good, because whatever decision to be taken by the government, it must be announced to public especially to community organizations) and related parties.
Can accept
The secretary of Muhammadiyah, Abdul Mu\'ti , said that even if the government finally decided not to send pilgrims, the public would understand and accept the decision.
The decision not to send for pilgrims is not against the Islamic law and Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning implementation of haj and umrah (minor haj).
"In Islamic teachings, maintaining safety is much more important and should be prioritized," he said.
AFP PHOTO / HO / MINISTRY OF MEDIA
A hand out picture provided by Ministry of Media shows Muslim pilgrims leaving the Miqat-station dressed in "Ihram" (pilgrimage garment) heading towards Mecca on the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 29, 2020. - Mask-clad Muslims began the hajj, circling Islam\'s holiest site along socially distanced paths in the smallest pilgrimage in modern history as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world\'s largest religious gatherings.
The head of Institute for Human Resources Studies and Development of Nahdlatul Ulama, Rumadi Ahmad, said that until now there was no objection from the public if Indonesian did not take part in this year’s haj ritual. Most people understand that with the current situation, it is quite difficult to for haj perform in the Holy Land.
(This article was translated byHendarsyah Tarmizi).
