TEMPO.CO, Semarang - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Central Java has stated that hajj pilgrimage using illegal means is not valid. Head of MUI Central Java, Ahmad Rafiq, said that Islam does not allow criminal acts to interfere with hajj pilgrimage.
"We cannot continue the pilgrim if we know it is illegal," Ahmad Rafiq said Monday, August 29, 2016, in Semarang.
He added hajj pilgrimage is an activity of worshipping God, therefore it should not be corrupted with criminal acts. “Forging document is illegal and is a crime," he said.
Rafiq added that hajj pilgrims should be careful in taking the pilgrimage. He suggested that the pilgrims should take on a close look on the hajj provider, as well as the requirements.
Previously, more than a hundred of Indonesian hajj pilgrims were arrested in the Philippines for forging their documents. Authorities are investigating the case.
ROFIUDDIN