REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Religious Affairs Ministry is currently working with the Saudi Arabian government to establish cooperation in the utilization of Nusuk, a Saudi-pioneered digital application used for Umrah registration, Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas informed on Monday.

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time, unlike Hajj, which has to be performed on specific dates of the year.

"There, I reviewed the Nusuk app to explore ways for the Indonesian government to cooperate (in the app's utilization). The Saudi Arabian government uses Nusuk as an app for Umrah pilgrimages," he informed in a statement received from his office here on Monday.

He made the statement after landing at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, following his working visit to Saudi Arabia.

On March 21, 2024, prior to his departure, Qoumas said that his Saudi visit was aimed at checking preparations for the implementation of this year's Hajj pilgrimage.

He emphasized that his side is continuing to streamline preparations for this year's pilgrimage services, including in terms of transportation, accommodation, and food.

The minister further said that he was planning on making the most of his visit to the Gulf state to learn about regulations concerning backpackers' Umrah — a pilgrimage carried out independently without using services offered by travel agents and Umrah organizers.

During a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives on March 18, the minister stressed the need for devising regulations that can adjust to the increasing popularity of backpackers' Umrah.

"Such regulations are needed to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims, including those choosing independent Umrah," he explained.

To support the formulation of the regulations, he said, the Religious Affairs Ministry will coordinate with Hajj and Umrah organizers.