Remarks of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Increase in Indonesias Hajj Quota at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on 11 January 2017
Unofficial English Translation
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
As the follow-up of my visit to Saudi Arabia in September 2015 and the meeting with Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince in Hangzhou in September 2016, I have instructed Minister of Religious Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs to have further discussions with the Saudi Arabian Government.
As a result of the discussion, the Saudi Arabian Government, in this case the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has decided to return Hajj quota for Indonesia from 168,800 to 211,000 for 2017.
For the record, Hajj quota for Indonesia and other countries was cut by 20 percent since 2013 due to the renovation of the Masjidil Haram Grand Mosque in Mecca.
In addition to 211,000 Hajj quota, the Saudi Arabian Government has also agreed to give an additional 10,000 quota for Indonesia. Thus, Indonesias Hajj quota for 2017 has increased from 168,800 to 221,000. It means Indonesia has a 52,200 quota increase.
We, Indonesia, would like to express our highest appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia who has given additional Hajj quota for Indonesia. We would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for continually improving services for Hajj pilgrims including Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia.
Following the decision, the preparation for Hajj pilgrims this year can be done earlier. I was also informed about the planned visit of Saudi Arabian King to Indonesia in March this year. In Syaa Allah the visit will be conducted in March 2017. We certainly welcome the plan.
I think that is all I can say, thank you.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (Humas Setkab) (RAS/AW/YM/Naster)