No More 40 Years, Government Equalizes 26 Years Of Hajj Waiting Period

Illustration of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The government has implemented a policy of equalizing the Hajj waiting period to an average of 26 years throughout Indonesia. The Presidential Special Advisor for Haji Muhadjir Effendy said that this new system aims to create justice for all prospective pilgrims.

"There is a policy that in my opinion is quite significant from the Ministry of Hajj, namely the equalization or equalization of the Hajj waiting period," said Muhadjir in Central Jakarta, Thursday, November 6.

The past varies from 15 years to more than 40 years, now it is made to average between 25 and 26 years of waiting period throughout Indonesia," he explained.

Muhadjir explained that the determination of the departure of the congregation would no longer be based on the regional quota, but based on the order of the national registrant who had met the requirements, including the requirements of the ability or istitha'ah.

"So it is no longer set how many will depart in each region as before, but how many registrants have met the requirements," he said.

According to Muhadjir, to prepare for the Hajj next year, there are a number of things that are of concern, especially regarding the process of departing the congregation.

The government is initiating a big plan to shorten the residence of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. One of the main strategies is to explore the use of Taif International Airport as an additional entrance and exit for Indonesian pilgrims.

According to him, Taif Airport has two runways capable of serving wide-body aircraft. If Taif Airport can be used as an alternative airport for arrivals and departures for pilgrims, then Indonesia can reduce the congregation's stay to only 30'35 days.

I have discussed with Commission VIII. If Taif can be used as an option, they prepare 10 slots per day, meaning we can fly 27 times a day. If that happens, we can save and reduce the stay there by only 30 to 35 days. With that, the cost will automatically be reduced, starting from lodging, catering, and others, "explained Muhadjir.