"We have learned many things about the scenario for structuring and improving the Hajj implementation for the following years," said Hilman Latief, the ministry's Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation, in Jakarta on Thursday.
He said his side would redesign the scenarios for the departure and return of Hajj pilgrims.
He noted that the departure and return of Hajj pilgrims are closely related to the management of flight schedules.
"Regarding the return and departure, our team is designing the flight schedules," Latief explained.
He said that he had received a special mandate from the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to conduct a review of the duration of pilgrims' stay in Mecca and Medina.
The minister is optimistic that the length of stay for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia would be shortened, Latief stated, while still considering the prevailing regulations in Saudi Arabia.
The team will also evaluate the basic services for pilgrims during the peak of Hajj, specifically the Armuzna procession that starts in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and ends in Mina.
To realize this, the ministry will form a special team and will continue to communicate with the Saudi Arabian government.
"The most important thing is the handling of the Armina or Masyair processions. We will also redesign that," he remarked.
He said his side still awaits the overall results of the joint investigation into Mashariq, a company that provides Hajj service packages that had reportedly failed to provide optimal service.
"The Saudi Arabian government is still looking into it because there were many factors contributing to the nonoptimal service," Latief stated.
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Translator: Asep F, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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