Of the 44 police personnel, seven are female police officers, Head of the Public Information Bureau at Polri's Public Relations Division, Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, stated.
"Sending the Polri personnel to serve as PPIH officers in Saudi Arabia proves Polri's commitment to protecting Indonesian Hajj pilgrims," he noted in a press statement published here, Tuesday.
As PPIH officers, the female police personnel assist Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in need of help, such as those who have gone astray while attempting to return to their hotels or accommodations, he remarked.
The female police officers also provide information to pilgrims looking for entrances, toilets, places for wudu or ablution, markets, eateries, ATM centers, and authorized money changers, he stated.
Moreover, they accompany Hajj pilgrims keen to enter Raudhah at the Prophet's Mosque area in Medina, help find missing wheelchairs, and serve ailing pilgrims looking to return to their hotels, he added.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated earlier that he and all PPIH officers are continuing to make the utmost efforts to provide services to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
To this end, his ministry is continuing to coordinate and communicate with its Saudi Arabian counterpart on the provision of Hajj services, he noted.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has determined June 7 as the first day of Dzulhijjah 1445 Hijri. Hence, Hajj pilgrims will perform Wukuf or gather in the open field of Arafah on the outskirts of Mecca on June 15.
On June 14, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will gradually start to leave their accommodations in Mecca for Arafah, according to the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry.
For this year's Hajj season, Indonesia has secured a pilgrim quota of 241 thousand through an agreement reached with the Saudi government on January 8.
The total figure comprises the initial pilgrim quota of 221 thousand and an additional quota of 20 thousand approved by the King of Saudi Arabia.
The additional quota was secured by President Joko Widodo during a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud in October 2023.
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Translator: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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