Minister Of Religion Underlines Garuda Indonesia Flights Become Obstacles In The Departure Phase Of Hajj Candidates

Minister of Religion (Menag) and Chairman of the PKB DPP, Yaqut Cholis Qoumas. (Nailin-VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is grateful that the phase of departure of Indonesian Hajj candidates runs smoothly until the closing date.

However, the Minister of Religion admitted that there were a few obstacles on Garuda Indonesia flights that claimed prospective pilgrims to the Holy Land.

"Alhamdulillah, the departure of the congregation is approaching the end. So far everything has gone smoothly, except for several flights that we know there are problems, especially from Garuda Indonesia," Yaqut said in Jeddah, Monday, June 10, which was confiscated by Antara.

The departure phase for Indonesian pilgrims has been going on since May 12, 2024. To date, there are 209,934 people and quarantine officers aka flying groups who have arrived in Saudi Arabia.

They are members of 534 groups. A total of 229 landed at Amir Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz (AMAA) Airport in Medina. Meanwhile, 305 groups landed at King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAAIA) Jeddah. There are still 19 groups that will land in Jeddah until June 11, 2024.

"Now we focus on preparing the best service the government can provide to pilgrims," he said.

According to him, he and all Hajj Organizers (PPIH) continue to strive to provide the best service to Indonesian pilgrims. Coordination and communication with the Government of Saudi Arabia continues.

"Our communication with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador was very good. Even before I left here, we were still discussing at the airport with the Ambassador, how do we make a kind of hotline if something just in case happens that needs to be responded to quickly," he said.

Previously, the Government of Saudi Arabia had set 1 Zulhijjah 1445 H to coincide with June 7, 2024. The peak of the hajj, Wukuf in Arafah will take place on June 15, 2024. The congregation will begin departing from the hotel in Makkah to Arafah on June 14, 2024.