TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas met with his Saudi Arabia's counterpart Tawfiq Alrabiah in Mecca, Monday, November 22. Yaqut said the talks had made good progress.

“Alhamdulillah, I met with Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Alrabiah in Mecca today. Minister Tawfiq said that Indonesia is a priority in matters of hajj and umrah,” said Yaqut in a written statement released today.

He hoped that Indonesian pilgrims could immediately release their longing to perform umrah since the results of the meeting were quite progressive and effective. Discussions between the two parties, he added, would continue to be carried out intensively.

The Religious Affairs Ministry is also keen on designing a scenario and timeline for the umrah pilgrimage, in which the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocols will be the most vital aspect. The draft will then be submitted to Saudi for study.

“The Hajj Minister appreciated the progress of the initial discussions. We hope that further preparations both in Saudi and in the country can be completed soon so that the umrah pilgrimage can be reopened,” Yaqut said.

The two ministers also discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in the field of hajj and umrah. “We have the same vision in upgrading cooperation, such as in the hajj pilgrimage rehearsals or integrated counseling,” Minister Yaqut concluded.

Read: Saudi Arabia Allows Entry to Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims

DEWI NURITA