IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas claimed he did not understand why the Saudi Arabian government had not yet granted entry permits for Indonesia ahead of the 2021 hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi’s aviation authorities have reportedly allowed the entry of hajj pilgrims from 11 countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Italy, Britain, Ireland, Japan, Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland.
“I think the Covid-19 handling is an important issue. The Covid-19 handling in Indonesia is relatively good. I don’t know why Indonesian citizens are still not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia,” said Yaqut in a statement on Tuesday, June 1.
According to him, the number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia was still lower than those of countries that were allowed for hajj. The United States even has the highest number of cases in the world.
“In order, the U.S. has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world. France ranks 8, Italy ranks 9, Germany ranks 17, while Indonesia’s position is at 19,” Yaqut explained.
Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed the quota for the 2021 hajj pilgrims. Meanwhile, based on the hajj simulation conducted by the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Hajj Mitigation Team, the deadline for preparing the pilgrimage has been passed.
Read: Bio Farma Set to Negotiate J&J Vaccine Procurement for Hajj Pilgrims
FRISKI RIANA
