Hajj departures without an official visa will be dealt with strictly

All parties who are still determined to send Hajj pilgrims without using official visas will be dealt with firmly.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

The first group of hajj pilgrims queued for passenger and baggage security checks at the Banjarmasin Hajj Embarkation Barracks in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan on Monday (29/5/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian government will take strict action against all parties, including hajj travel agencies, who still dare to send pilgrims without using official visas. The Saudi Arabian government will also consider the entire hajj process invalid if pilgrims use non-procedural or unofficial methods.

The statement was made by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a press conference following a meeting with Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah, in Jakarta on Tuesday (April 30, 2024). The meeting discussed, among other things, preparations for the 1445 Hijri/2024 Hajj season and a workshop on the introduction of historical sites.

Yaqut stated that the arrival of Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, and his delegation aims to ensure the best service for Indonesian hajj pilgrims. Indonesia should also be grateful for being a country that receives special privileges from Saudi Arabia, especially in terms of the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage.

According to Yaqut, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently implementing regulations that facilitate Indonesian hajj pilgrims, such as visa processing and other facilities. However, there are requirements that must be fulfilled by pilgrims, particularly regarding visa usage.

"The only visa that can be used to carry out the Hajj is an official visa issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Visas other than that, such as pilgrimage (tourist) or ummal (worker), cannot be used for the Hajj," he said.

KOMPAS/PRADIPTA PANDU

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas shook hands with Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, after holding a meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday (30/4/2024).

Yaqut emphasized that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will take firm action against Hajj and Umrah travel agencies that dare to send pilgrims without using official visas. Therefore, pilgrimage-goers must comply with official procedures and regulations.

In addition, the Saudi Arabian government will also take strict action against anyone who uses a visa other than the official visa. This provision has been strengthened through a fatwa issued by Saudi Arabia. The fatwa emphasizes that any Hajj pilgrim who uses non-procedural methods will have their worship considered invalid.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, hajj visas are regulated in Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of the Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage (PIHU). Article 18 of the PIHU Law stipulates that the Indonesian Hajj visa consists of an Indonesian quota Hajj visa and a Mujamalah Hajj visa invited by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Also read: Hajj Departures Must Use a Hajj Visa

Meanwhile, the Indonesian hajj visa is divided into two categories, namely the regular hajj organized by the government and the special hajj organized by special hajj organizers (PIHK).

The PIHU law also regulates that departures through PIHK are mandatory for Indonesian citizens (WNI) who receive hajj mujamalah visa invitations from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Then, PIHK is required to report to the Minister of Religion for the departure of WNI who have received Hajj mujamalah visa invitations from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Control efforts

Tawfiq Al Rabiah stated that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure that all Hajj implementations adhere to applicable procedures. Both the Saudi Arabian and Indonesian governments are also continuously making efforts to regulate parties promoting Hajj departures without visas.

KOMPAS/NASRULLAH NARA

Officials process data for prospective hajj pilgrims in order to issue visas. Starting from July 17, 2018, 204 regular hajj pilgrims were gradually departed to the Holy Land through 13 embarkation points.

Tawfiq said that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will get Hajj departure cards from Indonesia. This card was created specifically to provide services to the congregation which contains various information, including knowing the locations when performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina.

"The card also includes a certificate once the hajj pilgrimage has been completed, thus becoming a beautiful souvenir for the pilgrims," he said.

Also read: 75,572 Visas for Regular Hajj Pilgrims Issued, Gradual Visa Process

The Saudi Arabian government notes that the world's most active flight destinations to Saudi Arabia come from Indonesia, specifically for the purpose of Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. Coordination and cooperation are currently underway to increase the number of direct flights from several airports in Indonesia to Saudi Arabia in order to improve services for the pilgrims.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has also revitalized Islamic historical sites in both Mecca and Medina. "We urge Indonesian hajj and umrah pilgrims to visit these sites because they are related to the journey of Prophet Muhammad," said Tawfiq.