Ministry Of Religion Calls Transfer Of 10 Thousand Quota To Special Hajj For Saudi Hajj Ministry Simulations

The atmosphere of the density of pilgrims in Mina at the peak of the 2024 Hajj. BETWEEN/MCH 2024

The Ministry of Religion stated the reasons for the transfer of an additional 10 thousand quotas of Hajj to special Hajj, one of which was the results of a density simulation calculation conducted by the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia.

"With the additions, we will discuss the most likely. Therefore, we have also calculated if we add a full number of densities (in Mina), it will increase," said Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 15.

Previously, the transfer of 10 thousand hajj quotas was one of the materials that would be discussed at the DPR's Special Committee (Pansus) meeting.

The special committee assessed that the transfer of 10 thousand from the 20 thousand additional quotas obtained this year was procedurally flawed and was not in accordance with the agreement during the DPR Commission VIII working meeting.

Hilman explained that when he first heard the additional 20 thousand hajj quotas, his party welcomed and had to think hard about the distribution of quotas to provide services in the homeland and the Holy Land.

This additional quota is the largest during the implementation of the pilgrimage and is a challenge for the Ministry of Religion.

"How do you bring it there, the distribution, then also the service in the country, the service there, and so on," said Hilman.

The Ministry of Religion then reported the addition to Commission VIII of the DPR. After the meeting, the Ministry of Religion also immediately discussed with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to discuss services for additional quota pilgrims.

The two ministries then highlighted the simulations that might occur, especially during the peak of Hajj in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).

Especially in Mina, it is a serious concern of the Ministry of Religion considering Mina's limited area and tents in the world which are relatively narrow.

In Mina, there are five sectors and Indonesian pilgrims are usually placed in sectors 3 and 4. While sectors 1 and 2 are for special pilgrims.

In sectors 3 and 4, Indonesian pilgrims do not only struggle with fellow countries, but must share with pilgrims from Malaysia, China, to the Philippines.

Hilman could not imagine how congestion would be if 20 thousand people joined normal regular congregations in a limited maktab tent. Moreover, Mina's tent, which is only filled with normal regular pilgrims, is already crowded.

Finally, Indonesia proposed to include an additional hajj quota into zone 2 which is still relatively empty. However, the route, said Hilman, is usually used by special Hajj pilgrims.

Then in January 2024, Hilman revealed that the Ministry of Hajj provided recommendations which in the manuscript provided an additional quota of 20 thousand with a divided average between regular and special and become a guide for the Ministry of Religion.

"Well then that's where the name is pushed to zone 2, which is relatively empty but the route is usually used by special Hajj," he said.

On this basis, the Ministry of Religion seeks to communicate to Commission VIII of the DPR. However, because it is close to the voting time for the General Election, the adjustment does not run smoothly.

"So it is true that there are technical situations, the results of technical studies which we then simulate are (a diversion). So they are not sold, because the Ministry of Religion also does not sell quotas," said Hilman.