"President (Joko Widodo) has instructed me to serve as Amir al-Hajj this year to lead Indonesian Hajj pilgrims," the minister said in a statement received here on Thursday.
According to the Hajj regulation issued by the Saudi authority, every country is required to designate a Hajj leader to preside over its pilgrims.
The Amir al-Hajj team, which will depart for Saudi Arabia, will be responsible for assisting and providing inputs to the government on Hajj organization management, particularly on the task and function aspects, the minister said.
The Amir al-Hajj will also represent residents' participation in Hajj management, he said while expressing the hope that as Amir al-Hajj, he would be able to greet, receive inputs, and communicate with Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
With the government exerting efforts to provide optimum services to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, the monitoring of services provided by officials remains necessary, he noted.
"This is perhaps the pilgrims' first time performing the Hajj, and maybe, for most of them, also their first time traveling abroad. We will continue pushing officers on the site to be optimal in serving Hajj pilgrims," Qoumas said.
As Amir al-Hajj, he will be accompanied by three deputies, a secretary, and eight committee members drawn from ministries and national Islamic organizations.
Related news: Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to receive three meals daily: Ministry
Deputy Minister Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi, Muhammad Hilal Al Aidid of Nahdlatul Ulama, and Agus Taufiqurrahman of Muhammadiyah will serve as his deputies. Meanwhile, Ali Hasan Bahar of Jakarta State Islamic University will serve as his secretary.
The Amir al-Hajj team members drawn from government ministries are Muhammad Khoirul Muttaqin from the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Oscar Primadi from the Health Ministry, and Nizar from the Religious Affairs Ministry.
The Amir al-Hajj team members drawn from Islamic organizations are Arif Fachruddin from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), Uyun Kamiluddin from Islamic Union (Persis), Masyhuril Khamis from Al Washliyah, Faisol Nasar from Al Irsyad, and Mohammad Mukri Wiryosumarto from Raden Intan State Islamic University, Lampung.
Related news: Some 25,929 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have departed: Ministry
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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