Mecca, Oct 10 Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin asked for an increase in quota for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, during a meeting with Saudi Arabian Hajj Affairs Minister Bandar bin Muhammad Hajjar.
“In order to provide better services to Hajj pilgrims from a nation as big as Indonesia, the religious affairs minister put forward several proposals, including one on increased quota for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims,” the ministrys Hajj Pilgrimage Director General, Abdul Djamil, said after the meeting in Jidda on Wednesday.
Saifuddin told the Saudi Arabian minister that on an average, an Indonesian has to wait for 20 years for his or her turn, and that an increase in quota of seats for Indonesia could shorten their wait.
Moreover, he hoped that seats that were not fully utilized by other countries could be given to Hajj pilgrims in Indonesia.
“Although there has been no response in this regard yet, the Hajj minister has made note of our requests,” the director general said.
In the meeting, the Indonesian minister also suggested that Saudi authorities increase the number of public facilities provided to pilgrims, including toilets, air conditioners and sleeping mats in Arafah and Mina.
He also suggested that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims be given accommodation near Jamarat in Mina because most of them were senior citizens.
If Saudi Arabian authorities are unable to meet these demands, Indonesia hopes that the locations of camps for Hajj pilgrims from the world over in Mina are decided through a draw.
In response to the suggestions, the Saudi minister asked the Indonesian public to understand the restrictions in Mina because they cannot expand the area, in line with Prophet Muhammads rulings.
The Hajj Affairs Minister further hoped that the Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister explains to Indonesians the difficulties that the government in Saudi Arabia faces.
He also affirmed that the Saudi government provides various facilities for the comfort and safety of every Hajj pilgrim.
This year, as many as 160 million Muslims from Indonesia were sent for Hajj pilgrimage.
