Saudi Arabia's Hajj Minister Planned To Indonesia, Minister Of Religion Yaqut Called An Incoming Gate For The Increase In Hajj Quota

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (right) received a visit from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Essam bin Abed Al-Taqafi, at the Ministry of Religion/ANTARA Office.

JAKARTA - The government plans to discuss the addition of the Hajj quota next year to Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah. The plan is that the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia will come to Indonesia for the first time on October 23, 2022. "The president asked whether the additional Hajj quota had been discussed with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah. Well, I think this is a good entrance to schedule the President to meet with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia," said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a written statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, September 12. The President wants a definite answer regarding whether or not the additional hajj quota could be in 2023. In addition to discussing the Hajj quota, today, Minister of Religion Yaqut together with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Sheikh Essam bin Abed Al-Taqafi also discussed preparations for the visit of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. On that occasion, Sheikh Essam bin Abed Al-Taqafi invited the Indonesian government to jointly succeed in the visit of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Indonesia. "I am very concerned with the planned arrival of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, because this is his first official visit to Indonesia," he said. He hopes that the arrival of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia will receive a special welcome and run well and of course this visit will discuss the addition of the quota for Indonesian pilgrims. "The visit of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Indonesia will certainly make other Islamic countries jealous," he said. Responding to this, Minister of Religion Yaqut said his ministry would optimally prepare the visit of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. "Here comes the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion and special staff who will later prepare to welcome the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia as we welcome the Minister of Islamic Affairs some time ago," he said. His party will also forward a letter of application to be able to meet with President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the visit of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Indonesia. Minister of Religion Yaqut conveyed that the meeting between the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia with President Joko Widodo was still tentative and waiting for confirmation from the State Secretariat. He added that one of President Joko Widodo's concerns regarding Indonesia's relations with Saudi Arabia is not only about Hajj but also the ecosystem regarding the study. "Recently, the Minister of Trade of Indonesia visited Saudi Arabia, which not only discussed trade but also related to services for Indonesian pilgrims," he said.