Ministry of Hajj: Hajj Nusuk Cards to be Distributed Earlier Before Departure

Makassar - The Head of the South Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ikbal Ismail, stated that the Hajj Nusuk Cards, which are usually distributed after arriving in Saudi Arabia, will now be given out earlier before departure. “The difference from previous years to this year is that now they are distributed before being flown out. In previous years, they were distributed upon arrival in Jeddah,” he explained in Makassar on Monday. Ikbal Ismail described the Hajj Nusuk Card as an official digital identity in the form of a smart card. The card is issued by the Saudi Arabian government to verify visas and access to Mecca and Arafat. The Hajj Nusuk Card contains personal data (name, passport, hotel) and a QR code/chip that will be scanned by officials to prevent illegal pilgrims. Ikbal Ismail, who is also the Chairman of the PPIH for the Makassar Embarkation, is optimistic that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will proceed smoothly, safely, and orderly. The number of flight groups (kloter) for the Makassar Embarkation is recorded at 43 from eight provinces, namely South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua. “The number of prospective pilgrims to be sent off is 16,750 people,” he clarified.