Hajj 2023, Ministry Of Religion Of Southeast Sulawesi Prioritizes Departure Of Seniors

KENDARI - The Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Southeast Sulawesi Province (Kemenag Southeast Sulawesi) in the 2023 Hajj season will prioritize elderly hajj candidates and have paid their departure payments.

Head of the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Division of the Southeast Sulawesi Ministry of Religion, Marni in Kendari, said that after the Government of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia agreed that there would be no age limit, her party would focus on elderly hajj candidates who canceled going on last year's hajj season.

"In terms, they already have their share, but because of the limited (quota), only 48 percent left yesterday and those who were delayed were 1,086 people, they are a priority because they already had their portion and already paid, but their departure was postponed," Marni said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday 25 January.

However, continued Marni, until now the hajj quota for all of Indonesia is still awaiting approval from the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, both from the number to be departed to other technical requirements determined by the government, including additional fees charged to all hajj candidates.

"Until now there is no definite quota, but it's not wrong if they (elderly pilgrims) are prioritized, because apart from paying off the departure fee, there is also no age limit even though there is an additional fee for this year," she continued.

For this reason, the Ministry of Religion in Southeast Sulawesi appealed to all hajj candidates to prepare themselves by maintaining their health and mentality while waiting for the call of the Kaaba.

"It is very important for the haj candidates to know so that the preparations are made earlier, both physically and mentally, so that specificity in carrying out worship while in the Holy Land can be achieved and our hope after returning to Indonesia will be a mabrur hajj," hoped Marni.

Nationally, Indonesia's hajj quota for 2023 is 221,000 people, the quota consists of 203,320 regular hajj people and 17,680 special hajj people. As for officers, this year there will also be an increase of 4,200 people.

In addition to quotas, this agreement also regulates the landing of planes in Jeddah and Medina, as well as several new policies related to Hajj services.