Indonesia's Hajj Quota Reaches 99.6% Occupancy in 2023

The Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (Ditjen PHU) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) reported that the 1444 H/2023 M Hajj pilgrimage had completed the departure of 228,093 pilgrims from May 24 to June 25, 2023. This number is equivalent to 99.6% of the total national quota of 229,000 pilgrims.

"Alhamdulillah, the hard work of all parties has resulted in a 99.6% absorption rate of Indonesia's Hajj quota," said the Director General of PHU Kemenag, Hilman Latief, as quoted by Antara on Sunday (June 25, 2023).

Hilman stated that the basic quota for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims this year returned to normal at 221,000 pilgrims, consisting of 203,320 regular Hajj participants and 17,680 special Hajj participants.

"The basic quota of 221,000 was fully absorbed, 100%, both regular and special Hajj," said Hilman.

In addition to the basic quota, this year Indonesia also received an additional quota of 8,000 pilgrims, consisting of 7,360 regular Hajj participants and 640 special Hajj participants.

Confirmation of the additional quota was only announced by the Saudi Arabian government on May 7, 2023, or around the middle of Syawal 1444 H.

At the time of the basic quota payment process, according to Hilman, the departure of the first flight group (kloter) of regular Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia had begun on May 24, 2023.

With limited time, Hilman continued, Kemenag endeavored to ensure optimal absorption of the additional quota.

Until the deadline, 6,820 regular Hajj quotas had visas. Of that number, 6,462 regular Hajj participants were able to depart for the Holy Land. However, 358 people, although they already had visas, canceled their departure for various reasons.

"So, from the 7,360 additional quotas for regular Hajj pilgrims, 6,820 or 87.8% had visas, and 6,462 departed for Saudi Arabia. For the additional quota of special Hajj pilgrims, out of 640 quotas, 631 people or 98% had visas," said Hilman.

In total, the number of Hajj pilgrims who departed on the additional quota was 7,093 pilgrims.

All Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, both regular and special, are currently in Mecca and will perform the Wukuf ritual in Arafah on 9 Zulhijjah 1444 H/June 27, 2023.