Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Ministry of Religious Affairs have formally filed a complaint to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police against the organizers of  independent umrah pilgrimage, or known locally as umrah backpacking, a senior official said. "It should be noted that we have filed a complaint to the Metro Jaya Police concerning the alleged criminal act of organizing umrah pilgrimage. This complaint was submitted on September 12, 2023," Dr Nur Arifin, the Director of Umrah and Special Hajj Affairs of the Ministry, said as quoted by antaranews.com. The practice of "umrah backpacking" refers to independent minor hajj pilgrimage travel without involvement of an authorized Umrah Travel Organizer (PPIU). The umrah travel business is regulated by the Government in accordance with Law No. 8/2019. Article 115 of the Law explicitly prohibits any individual without proper authorization as a PPIU from soliciting or facilitating umrah pilgrimages. Violators face penalties of imprisonment for up to 6 years or fines of IDR 6 billion In addition, there is a prohibition against entities lacking PPIU authorization from accepting umrah fees, with penalties including up to 8 years of imprisonment or fines of IDR 8 billion. (ar/rd/pr/nm)