Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - A number of travel agents that organize hajj and umrah pilgrimages in South Kalimantan question the Visa Facilitating Services (VFS).
They went to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Banjarmasin on Wednesday to refuse VFS with Tasheel, a private company in Saudi Arabia, as the implementer arguing that it would add weight to those who want to go for Umrah.
Through the regional office, travel agents hope that the Saudi Arabian Embassy to Indonesia cancels VFS provisions which using the biometric system.
"Indeed the cost of VFS is still relatively small, but if it is accumulated with visa fees for those who have been umrah several times, the whole becomes large," said Chairman of the South Kalimantan Hajj and Umrah Travel Bureau Communication Forum Saridi Sarimin.
Umrah Affairs Section Head Zainal Arifin promised that through the South Kalimantan Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs he would follow up on the aspirations related to the VFS issue to the central government.
"We hope that the South Kalimantan Muslims are not receding in carrying out Umrah worship, because of the VFS issue. But will be increasing," said Zainal Arifin.
While in South Kalimantan, with a population of four million more and the majority of Muslims in recent years thousands of people carry out Umrah every year. While Umrah organizers number around 43.
