Confusing Information, Minister Awaits Confirmation of Meningitis Vaccine Regulations for Umrah Pilgrims

Dream - The Ministry of Religious Affairs is still awaiting confirmation from the Saudi Arabian government regarding the regulations on meningitis vaccines for umrah pilgrims from Indonesia. Until now, the regulations regarding the vaccine are still confusing.

"We are still waiting for confirmation, the vaccine is already available," said Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qousman, quoted from Dream's website on Kemenag, Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

According to Yaqut, his ministry still needs to wait for confirmation from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia due to conflicting information.

In his statement to journalists during his visit to Indonesia, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq F Al Rabiah, emphasized that there are no health requirements, including the Meningitis vaccine, for umrah pilgrims.

"There are no health requirements and no age requirements," Tawfiq said firmly during a press conference at the Ministry of Religious Affairs headquarters in Jakarta on October 24, 2022, together with Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

However, the Ministry of Religious Affairs received different information through a circular letter from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The letter stated that the requirement of Meningitis vaccine for umrah pilgrims is still valid.

"Meningitis vaccination is mandatory for hajj pilgrims coming from Indonesia," stated the official statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia on Monday, October 31, 2022.

Saudi Facilitates Umrah Pilgrim Requirements

Dream - Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas conveyed a number of new policies in the regulations for organizing umrah for Indonesian pilgrims, after his meeting with Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq F Al Rabiah.

"We discussed several things related to pilgrimage, starting from the hajj quota, how to improve services for female hajj pilgrims because their number is larger, including how Indonesia is facilitated by the Saudi Arabian Government in managing hajj and umrah," explained Menag Yaqut after the meeting in Jakarta, Monday, October 24, 2022, quoted from the Kemenag website.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq F Al Rabiah, explained a number of facilities that will be provided to Indonesian umrah pilgrims.

First, Saudi Arabia eliminates the mahram requirement for female pilgrims. This means that women can perform umrah without a male guardian.

Second, the validity period of the umrah visa is extended to 90 days. Then, the umrah visa can be used to visit all regions of Saudi Arabia, not only to Mecca and Medina.

"Visas will be issued within 24 hours. We continue to strive to provide convenience," said Minister Tawfiq.

Then, regarding the requirement of meningitis vaccine which has become a problem in Indonesia due to its scarcity, causing a number of umrah pilgrims in Surabaya to fail to depart.

Minister of Hajj Tawfiq emphasized that there are no health requirements whatsoever for umrah pilgrims. This means that umrah pilgrims can depart to the holy land without the requirement of meningitis vaccine.

"There are no health requirements and no age requirements," Tawfiq said firmly.

The Saudi government, continued Tawfiq, has also prepared the 'Nusuk' platform. With this application, anyone can choose the available packages.

Quoted from Merdeka.com, with the 'Nusuk' platform, travelers from all over the world can easily arrange their entire visits to the Kingdom.

Among them, starting from applying for an e-Visa to booking hotels and flights. This platform also provides various services and information for pilgrims and visitors.

Tawfiq F Al-Rabiah also stated that Saudi Arabia does not limit the number of Indonesian umrah pilgrims.

"We from the Saudi kingdom warmly welcome Indonesian pilgrims without any health restrictions, quantity restrictions, and we welcome you with the best hospitality," said Tawfiq, quoted from Liputan6.com

In addition, there is no age restriction for Indonesian umrah pilgrims. Saudi Arabia accepts all ages of Indonesian citizens for umrah.

"Then there is no age-related restriction, all are accepted to come to Saudi Arabia. There is no limit on the number of umrah pilgrims in a year, and there are no restrictions on age and other factors, so everyone is accepted," Tawfiq explained.