Ministry Of Religion Urges Congregants Not To Be Tempted By Offers To Depart For Hajj Because The Quota Is Full

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion ensures that the Indonesian Hajj quota 1445 Hijri/2024 AD has been fulfilled, and asks the public not to be deceived by offers or advertisements departing on non-hajj visas without queues.

"Congregants should be careful of the offer to leave on a non-hajj visa. Currently, the Indonesian Hajj quota has been fulfilled. Congregants should not be tempted to be deceived by the offer to leave on a non-hajj visa," said Ministry of Religion spokesman Anna Hasbie as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, May 5.

This affirmation was again conveyed by Anna following the many departing offers with other than Hajj visas, both on behalf of Hajj officers' visas, ummal visas, pilgrimage visas, and multiples.

Anna said that the Indonesian Hajj quota visa was divided into two, namely regular Hajj held by the government and special Hajj organized by the Special Hajj Organizer (PIHK).

This year, the Indonesian hajj quota is 241,000 people consisting of 213,320 quotas for regular hajj participants and 27,680 special hajj participants.

For Indonesian people who receive a mujamalah Hajj visa invitation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the PIHU Law stipulates that departures are mandatory through PIHK.

Meanwhile, PIHK who dispatchs Indonesian citizens who receive a mujamalah Hajj visa invitation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is obliged to report to the minister of religion.

"This year's study further tightened the rules for Hajj visas. They have conveyed to us the potential misuse of the use of non-hajj visas this year. They will apply strict rules and there will be intensive examinations from the Saudi authorities," said Anna.

To the public, Anna reminded that the stage of paying the hajj costs has also been closed. The congregation's visa is currently being issued.

Until the end of last week, more than 195,000 visas of regular pilgrims had been issued.

The same thing for special pilgrims, has entered the stage of issuing visas.

Regular pilgrims will begin departing for Saudi Arabia on May 12, 2024.

Meanwhile, special pilgrims will start flying to the Holy Land on May 23, 2024.

"We understand the enthusiasm of the public to worship the pilgrimage. But the public should also not be deceived by individuals who want to take advantage of opportunities by promising departures with non-hajj visas. Last year, many cases of pilgrims were finally deported upon arrival in Saudi Arabia," said Anna.

Apart from being deported, other risks are borne, namely not being allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for the next 10 years.

"So, apart from not being able to perform Hajj, it also can't be Umrah for 10 years," said Anna.