DDHK.ORG - Indonesian citizens (WNI) have been able to enter Saudi Arabia without the need to receive a booster or three-dose Covid-19 vaccine. Indonesian citizens can also enter Saudi Arabia without having to go through a third country for 14 days.
The Minister of Religion (Menag), Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said that the latest policy will take effect from December 1, 2021. Related to that, Yaqut revealed that at least 18.752 Umrah pilgrims are ready to leave this December.
This number is part of a total of 59.757 Umrah pilgrims who were delayed for Umrah due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and had pocketed visas. "Umrah pilgrims whose departures are delayed are a priority to depart at the initial stage of the opening of Umrah in December," he said in a working meeting with Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Tuesday, November 30, 2021, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Only for those who have been fully vaccinated
Minister Yaqut emphasized that the government would only dispatch Umrah pilgrims who had received a complete dose or two injections of the Covid-19 vaccine. Pilgrims to be departed must also have a negative PCR test result.
"Only pilgrims who are aged 18-65 years, have been vaccinated with a full dose, and have a negative PCR test result are departing for Umrah," said Yaqut.
The departure of the Indonesian Umrah pilgrims in December 2021 is a trial before Saudi Arabia allows the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage next year, 2022. Yaqut hopes that Indonesia will be able to pass this trial.
"The Umrah that we are going to run is part of a simulation or trial of our Hajj. So if our umrah is successful, God willing, the pilgrimage will also be open. So the key to whether or not the Hajj will be open in 1443 Hijri will depend on how well we carry out this Umrah," he said. In a sense, there are no cases that can tarnish the name of Indonesia.
In the trial later, the congregation and the Indonesian organizers will be assessed regarding the implementation of Umrah later. It is hoped that there will be no cases that can tarnish the name of Indonesia.
According to Yaqut, some time ago the Saudis had highlighted the problem of fake PCR test results that had circulated in Indonesia. In addition, they will also see the discipline of the congregation in carrying out the Covid-19 prevention health protocol.
"So that sort of thing can't exist anymore. If it still exists, then we all hope that all Indonesian Muslims will be able to go for Hajj, sorry, it will be more difficult," he said. [DDHK News]
