Gov’t Extends Repayment for Hajj Expenses Until May 19, 2023

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 15 Mei 2023
Category: News
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Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas sends off the departure of the first batch of Jakarta pilgrims, Saturday (06/04/2022), at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten. (Photo by: Public Relations of Ministry of Religious Affairs/Romadaniel)

The Government has once again extended the repayment period for hajj pilgrimage travel expenses (Bipih) for this year’s pilgrims until May 19, 2023.

“We are extending the repayment for Hajj expenses starting today until May 19, 2023,” said Director of Domestic Hajj Services of Ministry of Religious Affairs Saiful Mujab in Jakarta, Monday (05/15).

This year’s quota for Indonesian pilgrims is 221,000 people, consisting of 203,320 regular pilgrims and 17,680 special pilgrims. Saiful said that during the first extension period from  April 11 to  May 5, 2023, a total of 188,964 pilgrims had made the repayments and during the second extension period until May 12, 2023, the figure increased to 196,377.

“Pilgrims who entered this year’s hajj quota but have not had time to complete the repayment are expected to complete it during this extension period,” Saiful said.

For the postponed pilgrims of 2020 and 2022 who had completed the repayment, Saiful urged them to immediately confirm it.

“This includes the postponed pilgrims of 2020 and 2022 who had completed the repayment. They have the opportunity this year to confirm the repayment because next year the policy might be different,” he said.

At this extension period, Saiful added, the Ministry also provides an opportunity for regular pilgrims in the reserve category to complete the repayment.

“Hajj pilgrims with reserve status who have completed the repayment will depart if there is still remaining quota in each province. If they can’t travel this year, they will be prioritized for next year’s departure,” he stated.

According to him, reserved pilgrims who are entitled to complete the repayment are those who are enlisted in the next quota based on data with the following conditions:

a) have an active installment status;

b) have never performed the pilgrimage or have performed the pilgrimage for at least ten years; and

c) at least 18 years old on May 24, 2023 or already married.

“Pilgrims who do not meet these criteria mean that they are not entitled yet to complete the Hajj repayment this year. Please be aware with people who deliver promise to send you to Hajj especially if they are asking for money,” said Saiful.

Saiful added that the Hajj expenses are paid off at the same institution as the initial deposit or at a replacement institution. The regular repayment schedule is carried out every working day from  April 11 to May 19, 2023 from 08.00 to 15.00 Western Indonesian Time.

“Only those who meet the criteria are eligible and will receive the repayment process,” he said. (Public Relations of Ministry of Religious Affairs/UN) (EST/MUR)

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