Haven't Paid Hajj Fees, 200 Situbondo Hajj Candidates Can't Leave This Year

A number of prospective hajj candidates when checking suitcases in the Hall of the Ministry of Religion Office of Situbondo Regency, East Java. (DOC. ANTARA)

SITUBONDO - Stimulated in the payment of Hajj costs, the Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) of Situbondo Regency, East Java noted that there were around 200 prospective pilgrims in their area who could not go to the Holy Land of Mecca this year.

Head of the Hajj and Umrah Section at the Office of the Ministry of Religion of Situbondo Regency Adi Ariyanto told reporters in Situbondo, East Java, Saturday that from the Hajj quota of 1,073 in 2024, it was confirmed that 859 people had left for the pilgrimage.

"About 200 prospective pilgrims cannot leave because they have not paid the Hajj fee until the deadline set for April 5, 2024," he said, citing ANTARA, Saturday, May 4.

According to him, the local Ministry of Religion had previously extended the payment of Hajj fees several times until April 5.

The extension of the time for paying the Hajj costs is carried out so that 1,073 prospective hajj candidates can all depart on May 24, 2024.

Adi admitted that this year's Hajj costs increased compared to last year, so prospective hajj candidates chose to postpone it because of the difficulty of paying for the lack of Hajj costs.

"Last year the total Hajj cost was around Rp. 55.9 million, but this year it has increased again to Rp. 60.5 million," said Adi.

On average, the Hajj candidates had previously deposited a hajj fee to the local Ministry of Religion's Office of Rp. 25 million, but when they had to pay Rp. 35 million they objected and chose to postpone their pilgrimage.

"Of all the Hajj candidates, not all of them can pay off, because they think the cost is too expensive," he said.

Adi added, because the quota or quota for the departure of the Situbondo Hajj candidate has not been filled according to the quota, so it has been filled by prospective Hajj outside Situbondo.

"So, the quota that is not fulfilled will be filled with prospective reserve hajj numbers in the next row throughout the East Java Province, and the one determining the quota is not a district but a province," he concluded.