BANDUNG: Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar said

BANDUNG: Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar said
on Thursday that the government would reduce next year's haj
pilgrimage fund (ONH) to US$2,457 from a previous $2,777.

"The ministry's special team is working on the ONH before
setting the fixed price," he said, adding that the issue would be
discussed with legislators from the House of Representatives
Commission V in a hearing on June 11.

"The Saudi Arabian government just issued a regulation saying
that haj pilgrims are not allowed to cook in Madinah to avoid
accidental fires during the pilgrimage," he said, adding that the
ministry plans to provide meals for the haj pilgrims.

The ministry has proposed that travel agencies offering haj
pilgrimage packages must also provide boarding passes for the
pilgrims to ensure that the pilgrims have return tickets.

"Starting next year, Garuda Indonesia will land in Madinah,"
Said Agiel said. -- JP