761 Would-be Pilgrims Fail Departure

By Yose Rizal

Banjarbaru, 25/6 (Antaranews, South Kalimantan) - A total of 761 woud-be pilgrims from this province were certain to be cancelled their Haj trip concerning the reduction of the Haj quota this year. 

"The decision of the Government of Saudi Arabia on Haj quota reduction has not changed and we have received information from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. So that the number of delayed as many as 761 people,” said Head Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of South Kalimantan Province Abdul Halim Ahmad here on Tuesday.

He said the 20 percent reduction of Indonesian Hajj quota in 2013 impact on the pilgrim quota for South Kalimantan which gets a share of 3,811 people scattered in 13 districts and municipalities. The portion consisted of 3,778 people serving pilgrims and 33 people serving good local officers guiding team hajj pilgrimage regional and local health teams.

The reduction of 20 percent based on the basic quota of each province that if portions of South Kalimantan as many as 3,778 people then reduced by 755 people and local officials reduced 6 people.

"So the total number of 761 consisted of 407 people who have paid off BPIH, 277 people have not paid off, 6 officers and 71 local elderly pilgrim proposal and companion, as well as a separate congregation family," he said.