The Ministry Of Religion Estimates That The 2023 Hajj Pilgrims Are Dominated By The Elderly

Illustration of pilgrims from Indonesia performing worship at the departure of 2022. (ANTARA-Iggoy F Fitra

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has asked all Hajj Dormitory embarification managers to serve excellent pilgrims. Apart from the polemic of the discourse on increasing the cost of Hajj in 2023, it is Rp. 69.1 million per congregation.

The Director of Domestic Hajj Services at the Ministry of Religion, Saiful Mujab, said that services are the main priority because the estimated majority of pilgrims in 2023 are elderly pilgrims (elderly). The service must be carried out according to the main duties and functions of each.

"Pray Allah's guests well through excellent excellent service in accordance with their respective duties and functions," said Saiful in his statement, Friday, January 27.

It is known, the Indonesian Hajj quota in 2023 has been set at 221,000 pilgrims. This number consists of 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims.

Saiful said the 2023 hajj season would run normally again. Because previously, the implementation of the pilgrimage was limited by the Saudi Arabian government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"God willing, the implementation of Hajj in 1444 H/2023 AD will be normal as before and it is estimated that there will be many elderly pilgrims. Therefore, serve the congregation well," said Saiful.

The Ministry of Religion proposes a 2023 hajj fee of IDR 69.1 million per congregation. However, this amount of costs has not been approved by the DPR because the increase is almost double compared to last year. The government and the DPR are still both looking for components that can be reduced so that the cost of Hajj this year is not too high. The DPR targets certainty that the cost of Hajj can be knocked out on February 13.