VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Performing the Hajj in Mecca is an obligation for Muslims who are able to carry out financially at least once in a lifetime. In Indonesia where the majority of the population is Muslim, the implementation is even regulated by the state, the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The 2021 Hajj season is expected to fall in July. However, amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit the world, the Indonesian government is still waiting for confirmation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whether it can send a group of prospective Hajj pilgrims this time. The reality that must be faced in various countries is that the number of Covid-19 cases is still high.

In early May this year, news circulated that Saudi Arabia had issued regulations related to the implementation of the Hajj in 2021. However, it has not officially announced which countries have received permits for pilgrims to depart for the pilgrimage. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia plans to set the 2021 haj quota of 45 thousand for pilgrims from outside and 15,000 from within the country. However, Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Agus Maftuh Abegebriel said that until Sunday, 23rd May 2021, there had not been an official statement from the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding this matter.

Seeing these developments, the Government of Indonesia needs to anticipate the disappointment of the prospective pilgrims who have expected to depart this year so as not to cause confusion and disappointment, especially after the cancellation of last year's departure due to the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic.