Indonesia-Saudi Collaboration for Seamless Hajj Journey in 2024

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, today held a highly important bilateral meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, in Jakarta. The hour-and-a-half-long meeting discussed the facilitation of services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who will perform the pilgrimage in 2024.

"We are grateful that Indonesia is a country privileged by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attracting so many delegations led directly by Minister of Hajj and Umrah," said Minister Yaqut in Jakarta, on Tuesday (30/4/2024).

According to information obtained, several services aimed at facilitating Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will be provided. One of them is the fast track service at three airports: Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Adi Soemarmo Solo Airport, and Juanda Surabaya Airport. It is estimated that around 120,000 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will benefit from this convenience. Additionally, Indonesia is also the first country to receive a smart card, an electronic card specially designed to provide services to pilgrims and containing information about Hajj.

"We express our gratitude for the ease of travel for Hajj and Umrah provided by the Saudi Arabian government to Muslims in Indonesia," he added.

The Minister of Religious Affairs also expressed his hopes regarding the limited space in Muzdalifah and Mina. "We hope for support from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding the very limited space in Muzdalifah and Mina. We also hope for synergy in the Hajj platform between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia," said Gus Men, as he is affectionately called.

Minister Yaqut also affirmed that Indonesia will adhere to the rules of Hajj and Umrah set by the Saudi government, including regarding visa usage.

"For travel agencies and tour operators handling pilgrims, they must use official visas. There will certainly be strict measures from the Saudi government if travel agencies and tour operators do not follow the official rules, and likewise, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will impose strict sanctions on such operators," said Gus Men.

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, also affirmed his commitment to the services to be provided to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. "Our bilateral visit is to ensure the services that the Saudi government will provide, especially to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are honored to serve Hajj pilgrims, especially those from Indonesia, and we hope the pilgrims receive the best service," said Minister Tawfiq F Rabiah.

The Saudi Minister also confirmed that no one will be allowed to perform the Hajj except pilgrims with official Hajj visas from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"The Saudi scholars' fatwa does not allow visas outside the procedural to be used for performing Hajj. Thanks to His Excellency Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas for preparing 241,000 pilgrims well for the Hajj pilgrimage in 2024. We hope the visa issuance can be done as soon as possible. We also pay great attention to the safety of Hajj pilgrims," said the Saudi Minister.

This news emphasizes the commitment of the Indonesian and Saudi governments to provide the best service to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims and ensure the smooth implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage in accordance with applicable regulations.(*)

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