Accommodation in Mecca is Ready to Welcome Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims

A total of 169 hotels, dozens of buses and 70 tons of typical Indonesian spices in Mecca are ready to serve Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

KOMPAS/ILHAM KHOIRI

Indonesian hajj pilgrims staying at a hotel in the Syisya area of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday (7/7/2022), were preparing to depart for the wukuf in Arafat.

MEKKAH, WEDNESDAY - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas ensures that accommodation for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, from transportation to hotels has been completed Ready. All facilities are strived to be friendly for disabled and elderly pilgrims.

The Ministry of Religion has prepared 169 hotels for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims when they arrive in Mecca. During his visit, Tuesday (7/5/2024), Yaqut visited three hotels in Mecca and Syib Amir Terminal, Mecca, to see the readiness of intercity bus transportation and buses for pilgrims.

The issue of air pollution is not a new one. The situation of communities threatened by air pollution has been ongoing for some time. Research evidence indicating the threats of air pollution's impacts is also abundant. However, this has not yet translated into significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering as they live amidst the burden of air pollution. He will be visiting three hotels: Hotel Romance Elite with a capacity of 1,700 people, Hotel Castle Ajyad in Rei Bakhsy with a capacity of 1,900 people, and Hotel Wihdah in Jarwal with a capacity of 5,000 people. All hotels are intended for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who will begin departing for Medina on May 12, 2024.

This year, more than 70 tons of spices were imported from Indonesia.

Then, the Minister of Religious Affairs will have to stay for nine days before departing to Mecca. It is estimated that Indonesian hajj pilgrims will arrive in Mecca on May 21, 2024.

"There are some notes for improvement. There is still enough time to make improvements so that the service can be even better before the pilgrims arrive in Mecca," said Yaqut in a press statement on Tuesday.

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN AGAMA

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas checks the hotel where Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are staying while in Mecca, Tuesday (7/5/2024).

Yaqut also ensures that all hotels and buses are friendly for disabled and elderly pilgrims. The bus doors are equipped with decks that can be used by wheelchairs, as well as the facilities at the hotel which are friendly to disabled pilgrims.

For city buses, their capacity is prepared for 70 passengers (sitting and standing). For disability and elderly buses, there are 18 seats available.

In the middle section of the bus, there is space for placing the wheelchairs of pilgrims. Each bus is equipped with air conditioning, glass breakers, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, GPS, spare tyres, emergency door buttons, and others.

The selawat buses will serve pilgrims from the hotel to Masjidil Haram for 24 hours. There are 22 routes prepared for transporting pilgrims who live in five regions, namely Syisyah, Raudhah, Misfalah, Jarwal, and Rei Bakhsy.

"There are around 20 salute buses and for the elderly. This makes it easier for the elderly and disabilities to access the bus and is a progress in service," he said.

Also read: Maintaining the Fitness of the Congregation through Hajj Exercises

Meanwhile, there are also intercity buses, the oldest of which were produced in 2019, most of which were produced in 2023 and 2024. The buses used are the couch type with an average capacity of 47 seats. However, each bus will be filled with a maximum of 42 pilgrims.

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN AGAMA

Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, inspected the bus that will transport Indonesian hajj pilgrims in Mecca, at Syib Amir Terminal, Mecca, on Tuesday (7/5/2024).

For the safety and comfort of the pilgrims, the bus is equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a toilet, glass breaker, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, GPS, USB, spare tire, emergency door button, and a spacious lower compartment for the luggage of 42 pilgrims.

Inter-city buses will serve routes from Madinah Airport to hotels in Madinah (and vice versa), from hotels in Madinah to hotels in Makkah (and vice versa), as well as from Jeddah Airport to hotels in Makkah (and vice versa).

"We have also prepared 76 bus stops. Each stop will have transportation officers who will take turns guarding them for 24 hours," said Yaqut.

70 tons of spices

The catering kitchens for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are also prepared. There are a total of 57 kitchens in Mecca and 21 kitchens in Medina that will provide catering for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. For example, Rayat Al Motahedon kitchen in Al Syawqiyah will prepare catering for 4,065 members of the pilgrimage per day.

Food ingredients, kitchen work processes, sanitation, and also storage or food storage areas also continue to be prepared. Each kitchen must have a minimum of two chefs and four assistant chefs from Indonesia.

Also read: Payment of Hajj Fees Closed, Indonesian Congregation Quota Fulfilled

Regarding food ingredients, this year there are more than 70 tons of spices imported from Indonesia. However, the total demand is more than 200 tons.

"We involve small and medium-sized enterprises in this seasoning. Last year was only 15 tons, so it's much better now. Hopefully next year, we can fully source the seasoning from Indonesia so that the taste is not much different," said Yaqut.

There are eight types of spices imported from Indonesia, namely rendang, gulai, nasi kuning, nasi uduk, semur, sambal goreng, red spices, and basic yellow spices.