No Reduction Expected on Hajj Quota

By Yose Rizal

Banjarbaru, (Antaranews South Kalimantan) – Head Regional Office of the South Kalimantan Ministry of Religious Affairs Abdul Halim Ahmad hoped a meeting of Minister of Religious Affairs with the Saudi Arabia Government on June 29 will result a change in the decision of Hajj quota so there is no reduction.

"The decision of the reduction is still waiting for a meeting of Minister of Religious Affairs with the Government of Saudi Arabia on June 29, and we all wish there was a change in the decision so there is no reduction in the quota," he said.

Abdul Halim said here on Tuesday the province pilgrim quota in 2013 is as many as 3,778 people. 3,551 of Hajj pilgrims Banjarmasin Embarkation have paid off Hajj Operation Costs (BPIH) which closed on June 12, 2013. So there are 277 people who have not paid BPIH. Even though they have paid,  but it is not expected all of them to be deployed. 

He explained that this is because the 20 percent Indonesian pilgrim quota reduction  based on a quota basis so if serving as many as 3,778 people then reduced 755 people plus 6 local officials. A total of 761 consisted of 407 people who have paid off BPIH, 277 people have not paid off, 6 officers and 71 proposed candidates for local elderly and companion, as well as a separate congregation family.

He admitted calhaj quota reduction impacts both administratively and psychologically so do the social and financial impacts experienced by all relevant parties, corporate service pilgrimage providers.