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SEGAMAT – The decision to temporarily suspend umrah trips was a difficult one to make, but was made in the public interest following the threat of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Idris Ahmad.
He said there was no discrimination against Muslims as alleged by some parties.
The decision was made following careful deliberation between the relevant agencies, taking into account the recommendations from the Health Ministry regarding the latest threat of the deadly virus, he said.
He said it was a national issue involving members of the public, and therefore such allegations were highly inconsiderate.
“Don’t slander us, claiming that we want to oppress Muslims. The Health Ministry provided data and facts of how the disease is being transmitted from all these countries,” he told reporters after visiting flood victims housed at Sekolah Agama Kuala Paya near here today.
Idris said the proposal to make it compulsory for umrah pilgrims to undergo quarantine at designated hotels or venues instead of at their respective homes could not be implemented due to a logistical shortage.
“We need at least 1,000 beds a day. In the end, the authorities had to make the decision (to suspend umrah trips).
“We don’t want the disease to spread, which could cause even more problems (in the future),” he said, adding that he hoped the people could accept the government’s decision as it was made in their interest.
The government had decided to temporarily suspend trips to perform umrah from January 8 to curb the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, which led to allegations of discrimination against Muslims being hurled by some quarters. – Bernama, January 3, 2022