The Indonesian and Saudi Arabian governments have officially agreed on the arrangements for the 1444 H/2023 M Hajj pilgrimage.
The agreement was signed by Indonesian Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah in Jeddah on Sunday (8/1/2023).
"Alhamdulillah, the 2023 Hajj mission has begun. This year's Indonesian Hajj quota is 221,000 pilgrims," Minister Yaqut stated in a press release.
The details of the 2023 Indonesian Hajj quota are: 203,320 regular pilgrims, 17,680 special pilgrims, and 4,200 officials.
In addition to setting the quota, the agreement regulates aircraft landings in Jeddah and Medina, as well as several new policies regarding Hajj pilgrimage services. Minister Yaqut also stated that there are no age restrictions for pilgrims this year.
Previously, in 2020-2021, the Saudi Arabian government suspended Hajj services due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Then in 2022, Hajj services were resumed with age restrictions for pilgrims and a reduced quota.
The 2023 Hajj quota has returned to pre-pandemic levels, the same as the 2017-2019 period when Indonesia received a quota of 221,000 pilgrims annually.