"By way of the Saudi embassy in Jakarta I have sent a short message for an increase in haj quota," Suryadharma Ali said when visiting the Riau religious office here Wednesday.
He said he has asked for an increase in the quota for 221 thousand in 2010 to 300 thousand this year.
"The request if very difficult to meet, but at least for 238 thousand we may stand a chance this year," he said.
He said each year he had been trying to ask for such an increase. Head of the Riau religious office Asyari Nur said that Riau each year enjoy a haj quota of 5,010, which he said was not enough because the waiting list reached 22 thousand.
In other words, prospective haj pilgrims who had registered this year, would be able to go to the holy land six years later in 2016, he said.
The wish of people to go to the holy land has been increasing, because of the increase in the economy of the people of riau, he said.
(Uu.H-NG/R013)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
