Half of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Enter the Fast Track

This year, the Saudi Arabian government provided "fast track" facilities for 120,000 of the 241,000 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT WAPRES

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin received a visit from the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Fawzan Muhammed al-Rabiah, on Tuesday (April 30, 2024) at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In 2024, the Indonesian government will dispatch 241,000 members of the pilgrimage, according to the quota given by the Saudi Arabian authorities. Half of the Hajj pilgrims will receive fast track services, a new facility provided by the Saudi Arabian government for the immigration process.

Preparations for holding the Hajj pilgrimage were discussed in a meeting between Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq Fawzan Muhammed al-Rabiah at the Vice President's Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4 /2024). One of the preparations discussed is the provision of fast track facilities called the fast track or road to Mecca project.

"The preparation for worship this year, we have done it early and better compared to previous years," said Al-Rabiah in Arabic to journalists after the meeting.

This year, Indonesia will send 241,000 Hajj pilgrims according to the quota given by Saudi Arabia. Out of this number, 171,000 people have already received their Hajj visas. It is estimated that the visa arrangements for the remaining Hajj pilgrims will be completed within the next week.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT WAPRES

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Fawzan Muhammed al-Rabiah, briefed journalists on the preparations for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage at the Vice President's Palace in Jakarta, on Tuesday (30/4/2024).

Regarding fast track, Al-Rabiah revealed that the Saudi Arabian government has prepared fast track facilities for approximately 120,000 members of the Indonesian Hajj pilgrimage. "This is the largest number of all countries that use fast track facilities," he said.

On the website of the Ministry of Religion, it is explained that fast track is one of the programs of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to expand "Thariq Makkah" services. Through this facility, the congregation will receive Saudi Arabian immigration services from Indonesia. Thus, pilgrims no longer need to be checked when they arrive in Saudi Arabia.

According to the plan, this fast lane service will be provided at three airports, namely Juanda Surabaya Airport, Adi Soemarmo Solo Airport, and Soekarno-Hatta Tangerang Airport, Banten.

The Saudi Arabian government has prepared a fast lane facility for around 120,000 Indonesian hajj pilgrims. This is the largest number among all countries.

According to Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Arabian government guarantees better services for Indonesian hajj pilgrims. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is collaborating with other sectors, such as civil aviation, to serve the hajj pilgrims.

In the meeting, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, as stated by Vice Presidential Spokesperson Masduki Baidlowi, expressed gratitude to the Saudi Arabian government, particularly the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, for providing a special quota for an additional 20,000 Hajj pilgrims.

Vice President Amin also hopes that the Saudi Arabian Government, through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, will continue to provide additional Hajj quota for Indonesia continuously every year.

"Because up until now, the Indonesian government has had a problem with the number of Hajj pilgrims who are waiting being too numerous. If there are continuous additional quotas with the current amount, it is hoped that it will ease the burden for the Indonesian government in the future, and it will be easier within the next 5-10 years," added Masduki.

Also read: Departures for Hajj without an official visa will be dealt with strictly

The hope is that the waiting time for Indonesian hajj pilgrims can return to the way it used to be, not more than five years. However, currently, with the long queue of Indonesian hajj pilgrims, the waiting time can reach up to 20 years.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT WAPRES

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin received a visit from the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Fawzan Muhammed al-Rabiah, on Tuesday (April 30, 2024) at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

In addition to discussing the hajj quota, Masduki added that this meeting also covered the overall organization of the hajj, including issues related to improving the quality of management and implementation of the hajj in the Holy Land.

"The Indonesian Government's and the Government of Saudi Arabia's hope is to continue coordinating well, with the aim of improving the management of the pilgrimage and its implementation on the field, making it more efficient, and of course not burdening its financing, both for the Indonesian Government and Indonesian hajj pilgrims," he added.

This is considered important because currently the Saudi Arabian government is actively trying to increase tourist visits, including religious tourism for hajj and umrah. This effort is being made to reduce its economic dependence on the oil and gas sector.

Umrah early

On the other hand, according to Al-Rabiah, the number of Umrah pilgrims coming from Indonesia in 1445 Hijri or 2024 AD is quite large, at more than 1.2 million people. Based on this, Saudi Arabia is planning to expedite entry permits for Umrah pilgrims.

KOMPAS/ILHAM KHOIRI

The appearance of the Kaaba in the Masjidil Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning (3/8/2022), which has been free from fiber barriers and distance markers installed during the two years of the pandemic.

According to the plan, the umrah pilgrimage for pilgrims from Indonesia will begin on the 14th of Zulhijah, or four days after Eid al-Adha. This means that the hajj pilgrimage process in the Holy Land has just ended. Therefore, the aircraft that will pick up the hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land will also bring umrah pilgrims from the homeland.