Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia received an additional Hajj quota of eight thousand from Saudi Arabia that has been included in the Saudi visa application e-Hajj, according to Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas."It is confirmed that the extra quota of eight thousand has been included in the e-Hajj application," Qoumas noted as per the statement here on Sunday (May 7). He said that the ministry is currently awaiting an official notification from the Saudi authority before deliberating on the extra quota allocation with the House of Representatives (DPR RI). The ministry will continue to coordinate with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, he added. "The Ministry of Religious Affairs will intensively communicate with various parties, including the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, to respond to the extra quota," Qoumas noted. This year, Indonesia received a Hajj quota to send 221 thousand pilgrims, comprising 203,320 for regular Hajj quota and 17,680 for special Hajj quota, for which fees were paid by prospective pilgrims from April 11 to May 5. Meanwhile, the government decided to extend the Hajj fee payment deadline to May 12 to allow another 14,356 prospective pilgrims to pay off their fees. The minister reported that follow-up actions would be taken to process the extra Hajj quota, including deliberating its allocation and funding with DPR RI's Commission VIII. "The agreement with DPR RI will be the basis for the presidential decision on the extra quota, and a ministerial decision must be issued to regulate the extra Hajj quota's payment process," Quomas stated. t the same time, the ministry will verify the data of prospective Hajj pilgrims qualified to receive the extra quota before announcing the final list, he remarked, adding that subsequently, prospective pilgrims are directed to pay off their Hajj fees. "The ministry will also process their documents, from passports to the adjustment of service contracts with parties in Saudi Arabia to ensure the visa for recipients of extra Hajj quota can be issued," the minister stated. He added that flight contracts, including the allocation of flight groups and schedules, will be adjusted to cater to the additional number of pilgrims. Related news: Ministry issues decree on province-wise Hajj pilgrim quota
Source: Antara News Agency