Indonesia's Hajj Minister to Reduce Pilgrim Stay Duration and Add Flight Slots, Saudi Arabia Responds

Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, has stated that the government is seeking to improve the efficiency of the Hajj pilgrimage by reducing the length of stay for Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia through the addition of flight slots from both countries. The Minister said the initiative was discussed during his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, who expressed support for the plan. “This afternoon our discussion concerned, firstly, the Saudi government’s strong support for our programme to build a Hajj Village, and they hope construction will commence soon,” he said. In addition to the Hajj Village construction, Minister Irfan stated that both parties also discussed steps to make the organisation of the Indonesian Hajj more efficient by reducing the duration of pilgrims’ stay in Saudi Arabia. “We also requested, in order to streamline the Hajj operation, to reduce the stay in Saudi Arabia by increasing flight slots from both Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, so that it will cut the length of stay in Saudi. Alhamdulillah, His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Transport also gave his support,” he said. When asked whether the efficiency drive was intended to reduce the Hajj costs borne by pilgrims, Irfan said the discussion on cost components was a different mechanism. However, he is confident the policy will have an effect. “Oh, that is a different matter, there will be a different calculation later. God willing, it will have an impact,” he said.