Meeting With Saudi Minister Of Hajj, Minister Of Religion Yaqut: Maybe This Year's Quota Is Not Normal, But Hopefully We Can Get An Ideal Allocation

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah. He hopes that the quota for Indonesia with the ideal amount can be opened soon.

This meeting took place at the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, March 20, 2022. Present was the Indonesian Ambassador in Saudi Abdul Aziz, the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Eko Hartono, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization Hilman Latief, Special Staff of the Minister of Religion Wibowo Prasetyo and Ishfah Abidal Aziz, Director of Foreign Hajj Services Subhan Cholid, and Consul for Hajj at the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah Endang Jumali.

"I met the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah yesterday, I received an explanation that there will be departures for this year's Hajj pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia," said the Minister of Religion in Jeddah, Monday, March 21, quoted from the ministry's website.

The Minister of Religion also discussed the possible number of Indonesian Hajj quotas with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah. The Minister of Religion hopes that Indonesia can get the ideal quota along with the many pilgrims who have been waiting and longing for the Holy Land.

"I said that maybe this year's hajj quota has not been normal because of the pandemic, but I hope that Indonesia will get an ideal allocation," explained the Minister of Religion.

"I reiterate that Indonesia is ready to carry out the hajj and request that the quota be immediately confirmed," he continued.

In response to this, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia said that his party was also continuing to make preparations. This was done because the government of Saudi Arabia this year will open the opportunity for pilgrims outside Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Moreover, at this time, Umrah pilgrims from various countries have also been busy arriving and everything is running smoothly.

As for the quota, he explained, according to him, it was not the decision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah alone. The decision-making process on quotas must involve other relevant agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah also explained that the number of quotas would not be the same as before the pandemic. However, Saudi Arabia this year is ready to accept foreign pilgrims and preparations are continuing.

Certainty regarding the hajj quota is awaited by all countries sending pilgrims, not only Indonesia. Apart from Minister of Religion Yaqut, a number of ministers of religion from various countries have also met the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to ask the same thing, namely quotas. Among them are Minister of Religion Hal Ehwal Ugama Malaysia, Minister of Religion of Turkey, Qatar, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, and other countries.

The Minister of Religion's working visit to Saudi Arabia was also to attend the Mu'tamar wa Ma'radl Khidamaatil-Hajj wal-'Umrah. Organized by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, the Congress and the International Hajj and Umrah Exhibition which took place on March 21 were attended by ministers of religion from various countries, especially those who sent pilgrims.