Haj pilgrimage for

Haj pilgrimage for Islamic bodies

From Koran Tempo

The Religious Affairs Ministry's Director General for Haj Affairs, Tulus, has stated that the operational improvements of the haj should be realized by amending the Haj Pilgrimage Law of 1999.

Earlier, the House of Representatives' team for the pilgrimage supervision proposed the ministry's function be abolished -- which would leave the ministry with the main role of providing religious direction.

So far, haj affairs in Indonesia have been muddled. The idea of amending the haj pilgrimage law is good, but it is better for the religious affairs ministry to dissolve its haj affairs institution and leave its operation to mass-Islamic organizations.

Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama and Al-Wasliyah can handle the operations and most would-be haj pilgrims are affiliates or members of these organizations. The government needs only to announce pilgrimage quotas and ceilings of pilgrimage fees.

Meanwhile, the officials sent to assist pilgrims, such as medical personnel, should be financed by the Ministry of Health Affairs instead of being paid with funds from haj pilgrimage fees. Everything should be fair in dealing with the performance of religious duties.

ZOEL FAUZI LUBIS Jakarta