Ministry of Religion Plans a Scheme for Umrah Pilgrims to Depart from the Hajj Dormitory

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is designing a scheme for the departure of umrah pilgrims through the haj dormitory as part of strengthening the haj economic ecosystem and supporting national airlines.

"The President asked us to support the Hajj economic ecosystem to strengthen national flight. How? We are designing the umrah pilgrims to depart from the Hajj dormitory," said Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjunta, Thursday, February 12, reported by ANTARA.

In a meeting to discuss changes to the Law on the Management of the Hajj Finance with the DPR Legislation Agency, the Minister of Hajj explained that at present, Hajj flights have been divided 50 percent using Saudi airlines and the other 50 percent using Garuda Indonesia because of provisions from the Saudi authorities.

However, he said, on the umrah flight there is no obligation to use a certain airline.

"But in umrah, there are many umrah we use other countries' national flights. Malaysia, for example, Saudi, even though there is no mandatory to use which," he said.

Therefore, President Prabowo Subianto asked that the Hajj economic ecosystem be strengthened by involving national airlines in Umrah flights.

According to the Minister of Religion, in this scheme, Garuda Indonesia will provide departure facilities and the initial process of the journey will be carried out in the Hajj dormitory.

"Garuda will provide all means of departure. For example, the umrah pilgrims will check-in everything, the process is completed in the haj dormitory. So, there is no congestion at the airport, they go there directly," said Wamenhaj.

He added that the process is being prepared with the airline so that the departure of the pilgrims is more organized and comfortable.

"So the process is being prepared by Garuda friends so that the process is facilitated so that the congregation is more comfortable," he said.

In addition, the government is also encouraging the development of the haj dormitory through operational cooperation with professional parties in the hospitality sector.