2.441 S Kalimantan hajj candidates have paid off travel expenses

Head of the South Kalimantan office of the Religious Affairs Ministry H Noor Fahmi. (ANTARA/S Kalimantan Office of Religious Affairs PR)

From Saudi Arab there has been no news or official letter to postpone the implementation of the Hajj in 1441 H,

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Head of the South Kalimantan office of the Religious Affairs Ministry (Kanwil Kemenag Kalsel) H Noor Fahmi said 2.441 hajj candidates had already paid the 2020 haj pilgrimage travel fees (Bipih).

The first phase of repayment of Bipih was open from March 19 to April 17, 2020, he said in Banjarbaru, Saturday (April 4, 2020).

There are 3.818 hajj candidates from South Kalimantan entitled to leave this year, with detail of 3.786 people for hajj candidates pilgrimage and 32 people for hajj officers.

The fee for Banjarmasin Embarkation, Noor Fahmi said, Rp36.927.602 for regular hajj pilgrims, while for the regional hajj officer is Rp70.866.168.

"We are still waiting for 1.377 hajj candidates to pay off," he said.

He explained that in the first phase of repayment there was a portion for as many as 38 elderly hajj candidates, but only five had paid off. "Hopely 33 elderly can leave this year," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Hajj and umrah Division of the Office H Matnor said, for those who had paid off all documents are processed in accordance with applicable procedures.

Regarding the global pandemic of COVID-19, which caused the Kingdom of Saudi Arab temporarily halts the Umrah pilgrimage, has so far not set the problem of hajj.

"From Saudi Arab there has been no news or official letter to postpone the implementation of the Hajj in 1441 H," he assured.

Therefore, Matnor said, all process of preparation continue as it should.

"We pray together, hopefully there are no obstacles, the coronavirus outbreak will woon pass, and the hajj worship runs smoothy this year," he said.