Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Stands Firm on Allowing Haji Sacrifice in Indonesia Despite MUI Fatwa for Holy Land
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has responded to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which issued a fatwa stating that the slaughter of sacrificial animals for hajj must be carried out in Saudi Arabia, not in Indonesia.
“We provide very broad space for differences. In fact, we will strengthen that circular letter. Not revoke it,” said Kemenhaj spokesperson Ichsan Marsha when contacted on Thursday (14/5/2026).
Ichsan explained that Kemenhaj allows hajj pilgrims who wish to and believe in the jurisprudence permitting the slaughter of sacrificial animals domestically.
“We allow it and it can be done in the country according to the preferred view of Muhammadiyah or other views,” he said.
Kemenhaj also allows hajj pilgrims who wish to slaughter sacrificial animals in Saudi Arabia in line with the MUI fatwa.
“Those who believe it can only be done in the Holy Land according to the MUI view, we allow slaughter in the Holy Land, but it must be through an official institution licensed by the Saudi Arabian government, namely Addahi. Anything outside of that, the Saudi Arabian government states is illegal,” he clarified.
Thus, Kemenhaj continues to respect and provide the widest possible space for differences in jurisprudence and beliefs.
“Not in a position of forcing but in a position of providing flexibility in hajj jurisprudence. We provide space for differences in jurisprudence, respect differences, rather than forcing and accusing those who differ of being wrong,” he explained.
Previously, Deputy Chairman of the MUI Fatwa Commission Abdurrahman Dahlan emphasised that hajj worship is a complete package of rules that cannot be “disassembled” on the grounds of moving the slaughter of sacrificial animals to Indonesia for nutritional fulfilment.
“Moving the slaughter of sacrificial animals to Indonesia must have a very strong reason. If the reason is to make it easier or the reason is that Indonesians need (nutritious food), that reason is not appropriate,” said Abdurrahman as quoted in his statement on Thursday (14/5/2026).
The MUI Fatwa Commission stressed that the slaughter of sacrificial animals must be in the Holy Land, so moving the slaughter to Indonesia must be based on strong reasons.
“If there is no strong evidence to divert what is obligatory to something other than obligatory, the place of slaughter and distribution of sacrificial animals (to Indonesia) is not justified,” he stated.