Although The 2023 Hajj Quota Increases, The Waiting Period In Bogor Regency Remains A Normal 47 Years

Manasik Hajj at Tegar Beriman Square, Cibinong, Bogor Regency, West Java, June 1, 2022. (ANTARA)

BOGOR - The Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) of Bogor Regency, West Java, stated that the waiting period for the pilgrimage in the area had not changed, namely 47 years even though the Indonesian Hajj quota in 2023 had increased. "Until now (the waiting period for the pilgrimage) is still the same, because the new policy (a new addition of Indonesian Hajj quota) has not yet reached the regions. Maybe in the middle of this year," said Head of Hajj at the Bogor Regency Ministry of Religion Office, Muslimin in Cibinong, Bogor, Antara, Wednesday, January 25. He explained that the 47-year waiting period is still based on the Indonesian Hajj quota in 2022, which is 98,910 people or about 45 percent of normal conditions before the pandemic. "Now only 45 percent of normal conditions. In 2022, Bogor Regency will depart 1,570 Hajj pilgrims," he explained. Muslims explained that the waiting period for the pilgrimage in Bogor Regency would return to normal as before the pandemic, which would be around 20 years if the Ministry of Religion began to apply the latest number of hajj quotas, which was 221,000 people. Currently, he said, there are around 76 thousand people in Bogor Regency who are queuing up to go for the pilgrimage to the holy land. Previously, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq F Al Rabiah signed an agreement regarding the Indonesian Hajj quota for 1444 Hijri/2023 AD in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. "Alhamdulillah, the 2023 Hajj mission began. Today I signed a Hajj agreement with the Minister of Hajj of Saudi Arabia. This year's Indonesian Hajj quota is 221,000," Yaqut said as quoted in a press release from the ministry in Jakarta, Sunday. "The quota consists of 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special pilgrims. As for the officers, this year we get 4,200 quotas," he added.