Minister Of Religion Asks For A Quota Of Hajj Officers To Be Added To 4,000 People

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar asked the Government of Saudi Arabia to increase the quota of Hajj officers to 4,000 people or the same as last year.

"We request that our assistance or Hajj officers be added. Not only 2,000, but made 4,000, the same as last year," said Minister of Religion when meeting with Saudi Arabian Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel in Jakarta, Monday, February 24, as reported by ANTARA.

The Minister of Religion explained that the presence of hajj officers from Indonesia is very important to ensure optimal service for Indonesian pilgrims. In addition, not a few Indonesian pilgrims are elderly, so they need special assistance in order to be able to undergo the entire series of Hajj services.

"The reason is, it is easier for us to be able to serve our own people because we can understand their local language, their regional language," said the Minister of Religion.

He explained that the presence of Indonesian officers would also help ease the duties of the Saudi Arabian government in managing pilgrims.

By understanding the conditions of pilgrims from Indonesia, officers can act faster and accurately in handling various needs in the field.

"So actually the presence of our officers there is also to help the Saudi Arabian government, so as not to trouble Saudi Arabia officials. Because we know more about the problem of our society than maybe Saudi Arabia officers," he said.

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar hopes that the aspirations of Indonesia can be considered by the government of Saudi Arabia for the convenience and smooth implementation of the pilgrimage for pilgrims, especially from Indonesia.