Gov’t, House Agree on 2022 Hajj Pilgrimage Cost

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

The Government and the House of Representatives have set hajj travel cost (Bipih) paid by hajj (Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca) pilgrims this year on the average of Rp39,886,009.

“Hajj travel cost (Bipih) or costs paid directly by hajj pilgrims—on average per pilgrim—is agreed at Rp39,886,009. It covers costs of flight, accommodation in Mecca and Madina, living, and visa,” Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said after attending a working meeting with Commission VIII of the House in Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (04/13).

Yaqut pointed out that Bipih is a component of hajj pilgrimage cost (BPIH), which consists of other components, including health protocol cost and costs sourced from hajj financial benefit value.

Yaqut added that the agreed cost of health protocols is Rp808,618.80 per pilgrim and benefit value is Rp41,053,216.24 per pilgrim, so this year’s total BPIH that has been agreed is Rp81,747,844.04 per pilgrim.

In 2020, the Government and the House agreed that the average Bipih is Rp35.2 million, which means that there is a cost difference with the stipulated 2022 Bipih. Nevertheless, the difference is not borne by 2020 hajj pilgrims who have settled their payment and whose hajj travel has been delayed. The remaining cost due to Bipih increase will be burdened to Virtual Account allocation.

“So, prospective hajj pilgrims whose travel has been delayed and have settled the payment in 2020 will not be asked to make another payment because it can be overcome with Virtual Account allocation,” Yaqut said, adding that all deliberations of BPIH between the Government and the House used assumption of 50 percent quota.

“The assumption of Indonesia’s hajj quota in 1443 Hijri/2022 CE that was used as the basis of BPIH deliberations is 110,500 pilgrims or 50 percent of the hajj quota in 2019. It consists of 101,660 regular hajj pilgrims and 8,840 special hajj pilgrims,” he said.

Yaqut underscored that despite the quota used is an assumed figure, it is also the Government’s target, adding that as of today, the Government continues to coordinate with the Government of Saudi Arabia.

“The Government is optimistic that this year’s hajj season, we can send an optimal number of pilgrims although it is not the normal number, and we can give the best service,” he remarked. (PR of Ministry of Religious Affairs/UN) (DH/MMB)