Indonesia's 2023 Hajj Pilgrimage Reaches 229,000 People: A Look at the Trend Over the Last Two Decades

Indonesia's Hajj quota from the Saudi Arabian government in 2023 totals 229,000 pilgrims.

The initial quota was 221,000, comprising 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims. Indonesia subsequently received an additional 8,000 Hajj pilgrim slots.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, stated that Indonesia's 2023 Hajj quota is the largest in Indonesian history.

“Indonesia is sending the largest number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H/2023, totaling 229,000. This is the largest number of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims ever,” said Abdul Aziz Ahmad, as quoted by *Kompas.com* on Wednesday (24/5/2023).

According to Abdul Aziz Ahmad, the increase in Indonesia's Hajj quota from the Saudi Arabian government is evidence of the close ties between the two countries. "This is proof of the close Indonesia-Saudi Arabia relationship that has been established for a long time and is growing stronger," he said.

So, is the statement by the Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia accurate?

Based on data from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) compiled by *Databoks.co.id*, the 2023 Hajj quota is the largest since 2004.

Over the past two decades, Indonesia's Hajj quota has fluctuated annually. From 2004-2007, the quota was 205,000 pilgrims.

Then, the quota increased to 210,000 in 2008, before decreasing to 207,000 in 2009.

In 2010-2011, the quota was 221,000, followed by 211,000 in 2012-2013, 168,000 in 2014-2016, and 221,000 in 2017-2019.

In 2020 and 2021, there was no Indonesian Hajj quota due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hajj pilgrimage resumed last year after the pandemic.

The Indonesian Hajj quota in 2022 was 100,051. Compared to 2023, this represents an increase of approximately 128.88%.