By: thejakartapost.com
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/
The Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) says there has been no ban issued for Muslims in Indonesia to perform minor haj pilgrimages to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, despite a rise in the number of deaths caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Middle Eastern countries.
“We have not been able to issue a [minor haj] trip ban to the Holy Land. We are still waiting for such a policy from Saudi Arabia authorities,” MUI chairman Din Syamsuddin said in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted bykompas.com.
He said because pilgrimages were religious affairs, the MUI could not prohibit Muslims from performing them unless a directive had been issued by the Saudi Arabian government.
“We will continue to monitor the latest developments on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome,” Din said, adding that Indonesians planning to go on the minor haj should take extra care for their health.
MERS first emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Up to now, the infectious disease has killed more than 100 people. (fss/ebf)
