We have to better prepare the officers regarding their knowledge, skills, endurance, (and) dedication because there is quite a big challenge this year.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The first flight group of pilgrims undertaking the 2023/1444 Hijri Hajj pilgrimage will leave for Saudi Arabia on May 24, 2023, through 14 Hajj embarkation points across Indonesia, the Religious Affairs Ministry has said.

“Currently, after the COVID-19 pandemic (situation has improved), the number of (Indonesian) pilgrims has returned to normal (as before the outbreak), with a quota of 221 thousand people," Director General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation (PHU) at the ministry Hilman Latief said here on Saturday.

He made the statement during the “Technical Guidance on the Tasks and Roles of the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH)” at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in East Jakarta.

According to the ministry, the quota consists of 203,320 regular pilgrims and 17,680 special pilgrims. Furthermore, 67 thousand of the total number of pilgrims are elderly.

Hence, the Religious Affairs Ministry is committed to implementing elderly-friendly Hajj services in 2023.

"We have to better prepare the officers, regarding their knowledge, skills, endurance, (and) dedication because there is quite a big challenge this year. The number of elderly among the pilgrims is quite a lot, almost 20–30 percent (of the total pilgrims)," he said.

One of the pilgrims is 105 years old, he informed. Hence, the pilgrim will have their health checked by an officer first before leaving for Saudi Arabia, he added.

“Later, it will be decided whether they (the very old pilgrims) will depart for the Holy Land unconditionally, under certain conditions or, even their departure will be canceled," Latief stated.

His party has also noted that the number of female pilgrims has reached 52 percent of the total pilgrims.

Hence, the ministry has significantly increased the number of women Hajj officers, in accordance with Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas’ directives.

The Religious Affairs Ministry is conducting the “Technical Guidance on the Tasks and Roles of the PPIH” from April 7 to 16, 2023, to improve coordination among and services of 1,234 Hajj officers.

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Translator: Wahyu Putro, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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