Haj pilgrimage to cost Rp 19m to Rp 23m<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government and the House of Representatives
\nhave agreed to set the cost of the haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia
\nnext year at between Rp 19 million and Rp 23 million.<\/p>\n
The agreement was reached during a meeting between religious
\naffairs minister Tolchah Hasan, finance minister Bambang Sudibyo
\nand House Commissions VI and IX for religious affairs and finance
\nrespectively late on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The cost of this year's pilgrimage was Rp 17.76 million.<\/p>\n
In contrast to previous years, Antara reported that the cost
\nwould likely vary slightly for those leaving from the three
\ndifferent embarkation zones.<\/p>\n
Those traveling from Aceh, the North Sumatra capital of Medan,
\nand Batam for the pilgrimage would only have to pay between Rp 19
\nmillion and Rp 21.5 million while those embarking in Jakarta,
\nSurakarta and Surabaya would have to pay between Rp 20 million
\nand Rp 22 million.<\/p>\n
Those leaving from the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar and
\nthe East Kalimantan city of Balikpapan should pay between Rp 21
\nmillion and Rp 23 million.<\/p>\n
Tolchah said the precise cost would be announced by his
\nministry later this month or early August.<\/p>\n
He also said he was optimistic that the number of pilgrims
\nnext year would meet the quota of about 205,000 people set by the
\nSaudi Arabian government.<\/p>\n
The country almost always met its quota of about 200,000
\npilgrims until the economic crisis struck in 1997 and drastically
\nreduced participation.<\/p>\n
Many hoped that the cost would not be increased even if the
\nrupiah continued to plunge in value.<\/p>\n
The cost of the haj usually covers a round-trip air ticket
\n(Jakarta-Jeddah-Jakarta), living costs in Saudi Arabia and
\nadministrative fees. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/haj-pilgrimage-to-cost-rp-19m-to-rp-23m-1447893297",
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