BP Haji Rejects Proposal To Depart Candidates For Hajj Pilgrims By Ship

The Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Hajj) confirmed that it rejected the discourse or proposal to depart prospective pilgrims using ships as an alternative transportation for the Hajj season of 1447 Hijri.

"That's right, BP Haji does not agree with the departure of Hajj by ship," said BP Haji Expert Ichsan Marsha as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 12.

This was conveyed by Ichsan in response to the proposal or statement submitted by the Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar regarding the discourse of dispatching prospective pilgrims using ships as an alternative option other than airplanes.

According to Ichsan, the idea or idea of dispatching prospective pilgrims using ships is contrary to the spirit that BP Haji is building to provide the best service to the community.

By using ships, he said, it will automatically have an impact on the length of travel time for prospective pilgrims from Indonesia until they arrive in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the proposal is considered also not economical.

According to him, if the policy is implemented, it will also have an impact on the efforts of the Government of Indonesia which is determined to reduce the stay of the congregation while in the Holy Land from 40 days to 30 days.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, President Prabowo Subianto has asked BP Haji to find a solution so that the next season of Hajj (Bipih) travel costs will be lowered from the 2025 Hajj season.

"This means that the proposal to use this ship will shift our wishes at the beginning, such as efforts to reduce the cost of Hajj and reduce stay in the Holy Land," he explained.

Separately, the Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar said the Indonesian government was exploring the possibility of opening sea lanes as an alternative to the departure of Umrah and Hajj worship which is currently being discussed with the Saudi Arabian authorities.

"In the future, we think it is very prospective to introduce Umrah and Hajj by ship. We also spoke with a number of officials in Saudi Arabia yesterday," said the Minister of Religion.