Saudi Arabia to expedite haj visa processing<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Saudi Arabian government has agreed to
\nprocess visa applications for next year's haj in Ujungpandang and
\nSurabaya, as well as Jakarta, in order to prevent a repeat of
\nlast season's chaotic haj operation.<\/p>\n
Previously, the visas were processed only in the Saudi Arabian
\nembassy in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher yesterday said the
\nnew arrangement should help reduce documentation processing
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia, however, has no plan to open consulates. Instead
\nit will send officials to process visa applications at the two
\nnew embarkation points. Besides Jakarta, Surabaya and
\nUjungpandang, Indonesian pilgrims leave from Medan, Surakarta and
\nBalikpapan.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will hold its haj operation from March 14 to May 18
\nnext year.<\/p>\n
Documentation and visa problems threw off flight schedules
\nduring the last haj season earlier this year. Apart from
\ncanceled and delayed flights, the operation was marred by
\ndemonstrations by pilgrims who failed to leave on schedule. One
\nprospective pilgrim, who twice failed to make it to the Holy
\nLand, killed himself.<\/p>\n
The government blamed the situation on a lack of cooperation
\nbetween the central office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs
\nand other institutions, including the Saudi Arabian embassy.<\/p>\n
Apart from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, eight other
\ninstitutions are involved in the operation: the State
\nSecretariat, the ministries of foreign affairs, justice, health,
\ndefense and security, home affairs, transportation and tourism,
\nand telecommunication. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/saudi-arabia-to-expedite-haj-visa-processing-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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