Deputy Minister Of Religion: Smart Cards For Pilgrims Candidates For Hajj Distributed During Departure

Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag) Syaiful Rahmat Dasuki revealed that smart cards or smart cards are distributed to Indonesian pilgrims in 2024 when departing for Saudi Arabia through every embarkation.

"Yes, of course, the card is already there but will only be given before their departure at their respective embarkation," he said when met during the celebration of his birthday (HUT) to 217 years at the Jakarta Archdiocese at the Jakarta Cathedral, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 11.

He explained that all Indonesian pilgrims this year are required to have a smart card without exception according to the provisions of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

This is because the smart card functions to identify all the identities of prospective pilgrims or become a kind of visa when carrying out the pilgrimage.

"He comes with what visa, whether it's a Hajj visa or not, now the Arab State provides policies other than Hajj visas that are not allowed to perform the pilgrimage," he said.

He believes that the existence of this smart card can prevent Indonesians from being entangled in various acts of fraud related to the departure service for Hajj trips.

On the other hand, the Deputy Minister of Religion also ensured that both the Indonesian government and Saudi Arabia were ready to welcome and make this year's Hajj trip a success, while the departure of the first wave of Indonesian pilgrims was scheduled to take place on 12-23 May 2024.

"In Saudi Arabia, all needs are 100 percent ready, especially the focus, namely for elderly pilgrims, which this year there are around 40 thousand pilgrims," he said.