Minister Of Religion: Saudi Will Change Masyair Policy

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas at the Haflatul Hajj Al-Kblackay (Hajj Implementation Closure) meeting at the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Friday (30/6/2023). ANTARA/HO-MCH 2023

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the Saudi Arabian government would change the policy of determining locations in Arafah and Mina (Masyair) for a country in the 1445 H/2024 M Hajj pilgrimage. Later there will be no special locations for certain countries in Masyair.

The new policy, said Minister of Religion Yaqut, was conveyed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Taufiq F Al Rabiah at the Haflatul Hajj Al-Kblackay meeting (Haj Hajj Implementation Closure) at the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Friday (30/6).

"Next year, Saudi Arabia will impose a new policy that locations in Masyair, especially Arafah and Mina, are determined by countries that are faster to complete all contracts and ready for the 1445 H Hajj season," said the Minister of Religion, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 1.

The Haflatul Hajj Al-Kblackay meeting with the theme Khitaamuhu Misk was attended by Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as well as a number of ministers and delegations of countries sending pilgrims.

According to Minister of Religion Yaqut, as a first step, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia submitted a number of preparatory documents to the Hajj affairs office (KUH) of the countries that send pilgrims.

In the preparation document, it is covered by a series of stages of implementation activities from preparation to departure of pilgrims during the 1445 H Hajj season.

"Unlike before, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia will submit documents early so that preparations for organizing the 1445 H Hajj can also be carried out earlier," said Minister of Religion Yaqut.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Taufiq informed that the completion of the accommodation and Masyair service contract is targeted for February 25, 2024. Countries that complete their contracts early will have priority in taking and choosing a place in Masyair," he said.

Minister of Religion Yaqut said the new policy challenged all countries, including Indonesia, to move faster in preparation for Hajj 1445 H.

Gus Men, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas' nickname, immediately discussed this with Commission VIII of the DPR and the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) so that acceleration steps could be taken in preparation, starting from quotas, discussing the costs of organizing Hajj (BPIH), including the possibility of accelerating the payment of Hajj costs.

"We will respond to this soon. We will coordinate with Commission VIII of the DPR RI and BPKH to discuss together steps to accelerate the preparation of Hajj next year," said Gus Men.