PADANG - The Ministry of Religion of the West Sumatra region said the province's hajj quota in 2022 was 2,903 people, a 35 percent decrease compared to the hajj quota before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This figure is in accordance with the letter from the Director General of PHU at the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia regarding the verification of Regular Hajj Pilgrims in 1443 Hijri," said Head of the Hajj and Umrah Organization (PHU) of the West Sumatra Ministry of Religion Joben in Padang, as reported by Antara, Monday, April 25.
According to him, the government of Saudi Arabia has announced and allowed one million hajj candidates to perform the hajj this year, Indonesia gets a quota of 100,051 people with the age limit being under 65 years.
This amount is approximately 35 percent of the total quota of West Sumatra hajj pilgrims in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic which reached 7,000 people.
With the determination of the quota for the West Sumatran hajj pilgrims, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of West Sumatra Province can verify the readiness of the departure of the pilgrims in full in 1441 Hijri, including the pilgrims who take the payment for the Hajj Organizing Fee," he said.
He said the pilgrims who will be departing have been included in the allocation of the hajj quota for the year 1443H/2022M based on the serial number of portions in each district/city.
Meanwhile, for the age of pilgrims who are allowed to perform the pilgrimage, the Saudi Arabian government has also set it below 65 years.
"The minimum age is 18 years as of June 4, 2022. Meanwhile, for those under 65 years, with a birth limit of July 8, 1957," he said.
Then the departing pilgrims have never performed the pilgrimage or have been with a minimum limit of 10 years since they performed the last pilgrimage. Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of West Sumatra Province, Helmi, was grateful and congratulated him on being allowed to organize the pilgrimage this year.
"This is an extraordinary gift for Indonesian and West Sumatran pilgrims, especially because the Saudi Arabian government has opened up opportunities for Muslims to carry out the pilgrimage. Moreover, it has been two years since the implementation of the pilgrimage has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
He advised pilgrims who have not been able to depart to remain patient, because Saudi Arabia is still limiting the number and age of pilgrims who are allowed to go for Hajj.
"Hopefully next year, the quota for Indonesian pilgrims will return to normal and the age limit will no longer be below 65 years. Hopefully the government will prioritize older pilgrims who have waited a long time," he said.
Currently, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of West Sumatra is making preparations and the process of organizing the pilgrimage starting from collecting passports and other preparations.
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