REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Assembly, Amirsyah Tambangan, responded to the issue of illegal hajj by using a non-Hajj visa. According to him, the Saudi Arabian government needs to be firm in implementing the governance of Hajj so that Indonesian pilgrims also get excellent service.

“The government of Saudi Arabia must be firm against this influx of pilgrimage visas, so that Indonesian pilgrims can perform Hajj in the first place, namely the service of Hajj which is friendly, pleasant, safe and comfortable,” Amirsyah told Republika.co.id, Sunday (28/4/2024).

He argued that the potential misuse of nonhajj visas in the 2024 Hajj season could be prevented as long as the rules were strictly enforced and there were intensive checks from Saudi authorities.

Amirsyah also appealed to people not to be tempted and deceived by the offer of Hajj without queues by using ummal (worker) visa, pilgrimage (tourist) visa and other non-Hajj visas. “Even until someone offered a visa for Hajj officers,” he said.

According to Amirsyah, Law No. 8 of 2019 on the Organization of Hajj and Umrah Worship in article 18, has stipulated that the Indonesian Hajj visa consists of Indonesian quota Hajj visa, and the Hajj mujamaa visa is an invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia's quota Hajj visa includes regular Hajj organized by the government, and the second is a special hajj organized by the Special Hajj Worship Organizer (PIHK).

“We are grateful this year, Indonesia's Hajj quota of 221 thousand worshipers. Indonesia also received an additional 20,000 quotas. Thus, the total quota of Indonesian hajj in the operation of 1445 H/2024 AD is 241 thousand worshippers,” he said.

However, he added, there must be governance based on firm rules. So that the management of Hajj takes place safely and conveniently for all stakeholders. Even good governance can be for strengthening the ecosystem of sharia finance ecomomies.

“Hajj is sacred worship with a sincere intention because of Allah. So don't be easily swayed by the lure so as not to get into trouble,” he said.

Punishment from the Saudi government awaits anyone who commits violations of the use of visas including Hajj with non-Hajj visas such as pilgrimage visas and others. General Secretary of the Silaturahmi Forum of Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (SATHU), Muharom Ahmad said that the Saudis have arranged penalties for visa violations.

If you go to Saudi Arabia on a visiting visa or an umrah for Hajj, you are immediately detained and fined 50,000 riyals (about Rp 216 million). “Also blacklisted should not be allowed to Saudi for 10 years,” he said.

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