REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel deplored the behaviour of some of Indonesian umrah pilgrims at Mas'a during sa'i. Recently, videos of Indonesian umrah pilgrims pledging Pancasila and singing Syubbanul Wathan (Ya Lal Wathan) went viral.
"If there is an Indonesian expatriate in Saudi Arabia that is acting out of decency and prevailing norms, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will first address its protest to Indonesian Ambassador," he said in a written statement on Tuesday (Feb 27).
Agus reminded such action at Mas'a, the place to conducting sa'i, has the potential to disrupt the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, he called on Indonesian to comply with the regulations, appropriateness and existing norms in Saudi Arabia.
"Do not to repeat the same mistakes," he remarked.
Royal Saudi Government strictly forbids any attempt to politicize umrah and hajj.
On February 13, Said Humaidy Aba Nick conveyed his apology related to the pledging of Pancasila during sa'i. He has deleted the video.
He thanked the people who have reminded him. "I'm really sorry. It's purely a mistake," he said during Facebook live video statement while wearing ihram.
Nick called on the people not to imitate his fault. He did not want it became a guidance. "I do not have any intention to insult Pancasila or religion. I do not want to show off, search for sensation, nor being arrogant," he said.
Meanwhile, on February 24, Travel Alakbar's account on Youtube posted the video of umrah pilgrims singing the song created by founder of Ansor Youth Movement, Kiai Abdul Wahab Hasbullah.