Hajj consuls from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have reached a common agreement to set up an ASEAN Hajj Forum at their meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, August 26, 2019.

The meeting saw the congregation of hajj consuls from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand as well as Sri Lanka, Indonesian Hajj Consul Endang Djumali remarked in Jeddah on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the hajj consuls assessed the realization of hajj pilgrimage in 2019 and made final the plan to form the ASEAN Hajj Forum, he revealed.

“The meeting is very important to exchange information on the evaluation of hajj pilgrimage by Muslims from ASEAN member states, as they are under the same command of the Southeast Asian Muassasah. Hence, information from each ASEAN member state holds significance to make improvements in the future,” he stated.

The ASEAN Hajj Forum plays an important and strategic role.

The forum is focused on creating a common perception among ASEAN member states over the policies issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (minor hajj) and the Southeast Asian Muassasah.

“Through this forum, we hope to no longer discriminate against ASEAN hajj pilgrims in serving them,” he stated.

In future, the forum will also organize a seminar and focus group discussion and conduct joint research on the realization of hajj pilgrimage and umrah.

Endang noted that the plan to set up the ASEAN hajj forum will be realized in September 2019.

SOURCE : ALBILAD