“Religious Tourism” Term Prohibited for Hajj and Umrah

Jeddah, MINA – The Saudi Arabian government issued a new policy prohibiting the use of the term “religious tourism” (siyaahah ad-diiniyyah) in the administration of Hajj and Umrah.

“We knew about this new policy based on a letter from the Muassasah Muthawwif Southeast Asian Hajj Congregation to the Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj Affairs Office,” said the Hajj Consul or Hajj Technical Staff of the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah, Endang Jumali on Sunday.

“Now, the term is prohibited for any activities related to the Hajj, Umrah, or pilgrimage to the Nabawi Mosque,” he continued, as reported by Indonesia Ministry of Religion.

According to Jumali, the letter was a follow-up to the letter of the Deputy Minister of Saudi Hajj and Umrah on the 2nd Jumadil Akhir 1440 H (February 7, 2019) which refers to the Royal Decree.

“We have written to the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizations to participate in socializing the new policy, both to the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religion, and the organizers of special Hajj and Umrah trips,” he explained.

The use of the term “religious tourism” is often found in packages of special Umrah and Hajj services. This term is usually noted with visits to places that have history in Islamic da’wah.

This tour is sometimes located in the domestic region of Saudi Arabia, there are also those to other Middle Eastern countries which are put together in special Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage packages. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)