Saudi Arabia Allows 1 Million Hajj Pilgrims, Minister of Religion Hope Indonesia Get Additional Quota

JAKARTADAILY.ID – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially announced the implementation of the 1443 H Hajj with a total congregation of 1 million people. The announcement was published in a letter from the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

The Indonesian government welcomes this latest announcement from the Saudi authorities. Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas expressed his gratitude for the certainty of the departure of Indonesian pilgrims this year.

"Thank God, the Indonesian Hajj pilgrims can leave this year. This is the news that has been eagerly awaited by the pilgrims in the country," said the Minister di Jakarta, Saturday 9,2022.

Yaqut said that the cancellation of the departure of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the last two years had caused their deep longing to go to the Holy Land.

"I would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for giving this year the opportunity for Indonesian pilgrims to fulfill their call for Hajj," he said.

The Minister of Religion emphasized that regardless of the quota given, Indonesia was ready to organize the hajj. This is because preparations for various departure scenarios have been carried out so far.

"We will optimize whatever quota will be given to Indonesia later. In fact, if possible we will try so that Indonesia can get additional, for example from other countries' quotas that are not absorbed," he said.

"We are ready and will make the best possible preparations to ensure the congregation is well served," he continued.

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Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization, Hilman Latief, added that this quota would be immediately followed up with the finalization of a number of tactical steps that had been taken.

"Service preparations, both domestically and in Saudi Arabia, will be finalized soon," he added.

According to Hilman, the time available is not much. Thus, his party will work quickly in completing preparations, including those related to the technical selection of pilgrims entitled to depart according to Saudi Arabia's provisions and coaching rituals for them.

"We will move quickly to make preparations. We will also finalize the cost of the pilgrimage with Commission VIII of the DPR," he said.

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia in his announcement letter stated that this year's Hajj will be carried out with the following conditions: