Religion Minister Optimistic Saudi to Increase Indonesian Hajj Quota in 2020

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesian Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi is optimistic that the Government of Saudi Arabia will increase Indonesian hajj quota in 1441H/2020 to 231 thousand.

“The Saudis understand Indonesia’s need for additional quota. They ask that we file specifically, and it will be considered,” Fachrul said upon his arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, after a working visit to Saudi Arabia in the context of the signing of 1441H/2020M Hajj Pilgrimage, thus quoted by Kemenag.go.id on Saturday.

He revealed that if Indonesian request was accepted, then ten thousand quotas were additional, not the basic quota because to become a basic quota it would need to be discussed together in an agreement of the Summit of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Fachrul revealed he also asked for an additional officer quota from 4,100 to 4,200.

Hajj quota is one of the points listed in an MoU on the implementation of pilgrimage. The MoU was signed by Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Muhammad Saleh bin Thahir Benten with each minister responsible for organizing the hajj, including the Indonesian Minister of Religion.

The basic quota of Indonesian pilgrims as stipulated in the signed MoU is 221 thousand, consisting of 204 thousand regular pilgrimage quotas, and 17 thousand special haj pilgrims. However, there is a clause that Indonesia proposes an increase of 10 thousand. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)