Regarding The 2022 Hajj Service, Minister Of Religion's Testimonial: There Are Mattresses Spacing Wide Between Congregants, Much More Comfortable

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas gave a testimony about the services of the pilgrims for the 2022 Hajj candidates at Arafah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

According to the Minister of Religion, the service in Arafah in the 2022 hajj pilgrimage is much better than before. Including more comfortable because there are mattresses and pillows with a wider distance between the congregation.

"I was a regular pilgrim in 2004, it wasn't crazy. It's much more comfortable," said the Minister of Religion in Arafah, Makkah, Tuesday, July 5.

Minister of Religion visits Arafah ahead of the peak of the 1443 Hijri pilgrimage. The Minister of Religion ensured the readiness of services to be provided to Indonesian pilgrims while in Arafah.

The Minister of Religion, who is familiarly called Gus Men, also previously inspected the toilets at the Maktab in Arafah and tried the water taps to make sure the water was flowing.

After that, the Minister of Religion inspected the congregation's tent which was equipped with carpets and mattresses and pillows. Even the Minister of Religion also tried a foam mattress measuring 50x175 cm.

"It's good now, I've tried the mattress earlier. I also tried it on the carpet, it's not good for back pain because the ground is uneven," said the Minister of Religion.

However, the comfort should not be compared with the hotel because it must be comparable, when compared to the previous Hajj implementation, it is certainly more comfortable at this time.

During the previous Hajj in Arafah during the congregational wukuf, only tents were provided with carpets. This year has been added with foam mattresses and pillows.

"But judging from being comfortable, it's not convenient to have to go apple to apple, if it's a hotel, it's far," said Gus Men.

In the midst of very hot weather, the Minister of Religion hopes that the air conditioners installed in each tent can be cooler. This is because the cooler temperatures in the tent will provide comfort for the congregation in worship.

The Minister of Religion sees that more has also been prepared, including a number of portable toilets. According to him, this is important so that pilgrims don't have to wait in long lines, either when they are going to take a bath, purify themselves, or defecate. "The water has also flowed," he said.

"I hope that portable toilets can also be added for female pilgrims. Because the number of worshipers is more and it takes longer time in the toilet," he continued.

The Minister of Religion added that it had to be seen whether the services provided were in line with Masyair's increased costs. "Later we will recalculate the negotiations again with the muasasah. Overall, it is better than the previous hajj service, although there are notes that we will discuss with the muasasah," said the Minister of Religion.