...we are optimistic (about being able to use the additional quota optimally) because there are many people who are interested (to become additional pilgrims).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Religious Affairs Ministry unveiled that it would discuss the utilization of the additional eight thousand quota for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage, which was recently provided by the government of Saudi Arabia, with the House of Representatives (DPR) soon.

The ministry's Hajj and Umrah Director General Hilman Latief said here on Wednesday that a number of issues must be coordinated with the House regarding the provision of the additional quota.

Some of the issues are the availability of aircraft to transport the pilgrims, the availability of flight slots from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, as well as the question of which pilgrims will be prioritized to be included under the additional quota, he added.

"The minister (Yaqut Cholil Qoumas) has instructed us to prepare as optimally as possible before we make any decision (on the utilization of the additional quota)," he said.

The additional quota is expected to cut the waiting time for prospective Hajj pilgrims in Indonesia. The ministry has noted that the period has reached 47 years in a number of provinces.

For the implementation of the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage, Indonesia had also received additional quota, however, the government had decided not to use it since it had very little time to prepare for the departure of the additional pilgrims before the pilgrimage season began, Latief said.

"Hence, this year, the minister asked us to prepare ourselves (to serve additional pilgrims) and we are optimistic (about using the additional quota optimally) because there are many people who are interested (in becoming additional pilgrims)," he noted.

Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas directed his ranks to continue to prioritize the principle of fairness in providing Hajj services, especially in the distribution of additional quotas.

He asked his ranks to pay attention to several regions that have very large numbers of prospective pilgrims and long wait periods.

The quota distribution must also consider the regions where most of the prospective Hajj pilgrims have paid off the Hajj Pilgrimage Fees (BPIH), thus the additional quota can be absorbed optimally, he added.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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