Departure of 5030 Pilgrims from Riau in 2020 Canceled

News24xx.com - The Office of the Ministry of Religion of Riau Province confirmed that the departure of pilgrims from Indonesia in 2020 was postponed. Which departure for this year is shifted to the year 2021.

However, Kakan Riau Ministry of Religion Mahyudin when met in his office, were reluctant to explain further about the postponement of the departure of pilgrims from Indonesia.

"Our step in Riau is certainly awaiting direction from the Director General of Hajj. And of course while conveying information conveyed by the Minister of Religion this morning to the Jamaah. To be sure, the 1441 pilgrims become pilgrims from 1442 pilgrims," ??explained Mahyudin.

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As is known, the quota of pilgrims from Riau province in 2020 amounted to 5,030 worshipers spread across 12 regencies / cities in Riau. Therefore, the departure of thousands of pilgrims would be automatically shifted to 2021.

It is known this morning, the Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi confirmed that the departure of the Hajj pilgrimage at the holding of the 1441H / 2020M Hajj was canceled. This policy was taken because the Government must prioritize the safety of worshipers in the midst of the unfinished Corona Virus Disease-19 (Covid-19) pandemic.

"I have today issued a Decree of the Minister of Religion (KMA) Number 494 of 2020 concerning the Cancellation of the Departure of Hajj Pilgrims at Hajj Holding in 1441H / 2020M," said the Minister of Religion in a teleconference opportunity with the media crew in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

"In accordance with the mandate of the law, besides being economically and physically capable, health, safety, and safety of the pilgrims must be guaranteed and prioritized, from embarkation or debarkation, on the way, and also while in Saudi Arabia," he said.

The Minister of Religion stressed that this decision had gone through an in-depth study. The Covid-19 pandemic which struck almost all countries in the world, including Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, could threaten the safety of pilgrims. Religion itself teaches that protecting the soul is an obligation that must take precedence. These all become the basis for consideration in setting policy.

The Ministry of Religion has conducted a literature review and collected a number of data and information about the hajj during the pandemic in the past. The fact that the implementation of the pilgrimage during the outbreak of infectious disease, has resulted in humanitarian tragedies in which tens of thousands of pilgrims became victims. In 1814 for example, when the Thaun outbreak occurred, in 1837 and 1858 there was an epidemic outbreak, 1892 cholera outbreak, 1987 meningitis outbreak. In 1947, Minister of Religion Fathurrahman Kafrawi issued the Ministry of Religion Decree No. 4/1947 on the Termination of the Hajj in Wartime.

In addition to the matter of safety, the policy was taken because until now the Saudis have not opened access to Hajj 1441H / 2020M services. As a result, the Government does not have enough time to make preparations for the implementation of guidance, service and protection for pilgrims. Though the preparation is important so that pilgrims can hold worship safely and comfortably.

"Time continues to run and getting tight. Our initial plan, the departure of the first group on June 26. That is, for preparations related to visas, flights and services in Saudi only a few days left. Not added to the quarantine requirement 14 days before departure and upon arrival. In fact, access to services from Saudi Arabia has yet to be clarified when it will be opened, "he said.

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"If the pilgrims are forced to leave, there is a very big risk that is related to the safety of the soul and the difficulties of worship. Even if forced upon it is not possible because Saudi Arabia has never opened access," he said again.

Cancellation of the departure of the Congregation is valid for all Indonesian citizens (WNI). That is, the cancellation is not only for pilgrims who use the government Hajj quota, both regular and special, but also includes pilgrims who will use a mujamalah or furada Hajj visa.