Our government has been firm in implementing this rule
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is ready to serve Hajj pilgrims departing for the Holy Land in 1443 H/2022 AD, with provisions of the COVID-19 vaccine obligation and age limit that fulfill the Saudi Arabia Kingdom's requirements.

Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas explained that the government had discussed preparations for the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage during a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday.

"We have prepared A to Z schemes, including the required health protocol schemes, such as complete vaccinations that must at least be fulfilled by pilgrims," Qoumas noted on Tuesday.

He explained that his side continued to strive to send fully vaccinated pilgrims to the Holy Land.

In addition to the mandatory full dose of vaccine, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also limits the pilgrims' age. Only pilgrims under 65 years of age, as of June 30, 2022, are allowed to perform Hajj.

"Our government has been firm in implementing this rule. (This is) because otherwise, any pilgrims over 65 years of age will be rejected by the system," the minister stated.

Meanwhile, Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization (PHU) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs released a list of names of prospective regular pilgrims, who are entitled to depart.

The name lists of prospective pilgrims can be accessed through the www.haji.kemenag.go.id page. Pilgrims can conduct the confirmation process from May 9 to 20, 2022.

Saudi Arabia has set Indonesia's Hajj quota in 2022 to only 100,051 people comprising 92,825 quotas for regular pilgrims, 7,226 quotas for special pilgrims, and 1,901 quotas for officers.

The quota is reduced from the original figure, thereby resulting in pilgrims, who had paid off in 2020, not yet being able to depart in 2022.

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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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