Hasyim Muzadi: Cancellation of hajj pilgrimage should not happen

Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Hasyim Muzadi said he hoped Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni`s warning that Indonesia would not send hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia if the Middle Eastern kingdom barred Indonesian airlines from its air space would not become a reality.

"Something like that should not happen," Hasyim , the leader of Indonesia`s largest Muslim organization, said here Wednesday.<>

"There should be talks between the two governments about what Saudi Arabia wants," he said, adding the Saudis must clarify the European safety standards they were applying to Indonesian airlines.

If Indonesian airlines had shortcomings or did not meet accepted safety standards, Indonesia must do what was necessary to overcome them or comply with those standards, he said.

"The improvements must be accomplished before the next hajj pilgrimage season," Hasyim was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

He pointed out Indonesia`s relations with Saudi Arabia were not only technical but also religious in nature.

Minister Basyuni voiced the warning in reaction to a letter Saudi Arabia had sent to Transportation Minister Jusman Sjafii Djamal informing the latter that it would follow the European Union`s example and bar Indonesian airlines from its air space.

However, Saudi Arabia would still give Indonesia a chance to clarify its flight safety situation before actually deciding to issue the ban. The Saudi government would not do it immediately in view of its good relations with the Indonesian government.

Minister Basyuni said Saudi Arabia was free to send a team to Indonesia to observe Indonesia`s flight safety conditions for itself.

But if Saudi Arabia eventually followed the EU`s example, Basyuni said, Indonesia would not send hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. In such a case , nobody could blame Indonesia because in Islam going on the hajj pilgrimage was a duty only if one had the capability to do so. If one did have the means to make the pilgrimage, one was automatically absolved of the obligation. (dar)