1 month ago
38
January 3, 2025 | 09:33 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers (PHU) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hilman Latief, has revealed that the Saudi Arabian government is considering imposing age restrictions for prospective Hajj pilgrims. He said the Saudi government is planning to prohibit individuals over 90 years of age from performing the Hajj.
This information was disclosed by Hilman during a hearing with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Central Jakarta on Friday, January 3, 2025. The hearing, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Hajj Organizing Agency, and the Ministry of Health, focused on the components of the 2025 Hajj health costs.
“We received information yesterday regarding a new policy on age restrictions. We are awaiting the official letter from the Saudi Arabian government, which they have indicated they will be sending soon, particularly regarding pilgrims over 90 years of age,” stated Hilman.
He said that the official letter from the Saudi Arabian government is still pending, but the Saudi government is considering limiting the participation of elderly pilgrims. “Temporary information suggests that they may limit the congregation by denying permission to pilgrims over 90 years old,” he explained.
According to Hilman, the Ministry of Religious Affairs intends to actively mitigate the potential impact of this age restriction. Moreover, there are still Indonesian pilgrims who are 100 years old, albeit in small numbers.
Furthermore, Hilman revealed that the Saudi Arabian government is also considering limiting the percentage of elderly pilgrims aged 70-90 years. “There will be a limitation on the percentage of elderly pilgrims between the ages of 80 or 70 years and over,” he stated.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs currently prioritizes elderly regular pilgrims. Article 25 paragraph 1 of the Minister’s Regulation Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Regular Hajj Pilgrimage stipulates that the Minister shall give priority to regular pilgrims aged at least 65 years, with a quota of up to 10%.
In light of these potential policy changes, the team from the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Hajj Health Center is currently reviewing data on sick and deceased Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land. This analysis aims to provide data-driven arguments to support the continued participation of elderly pilgrims, emphasizing the concept of "isthita'ah" – the ability of prospective Hajj pilgrims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
“I and the team from the Head of the Hajj Health Center will re-analyze the data on sick and deceased pilgrims, focusing on their age. We will utilize this data to build an argument based on the concept of 'isthita'ah' that we have established,” stated Hilman.
Earlier, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar announced that Indonesia's Hajj quota for 2025 would be 221,000 people. According to the Law on the Implementation of the Hajj and Umrah, this quota is divided between 203,320 people for regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 people for special Hajj pilgrims.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesian Govt Wants to Lower 2025 Hajj Costs; Here Are Details of the Hajj Costs in 2024
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Govt Wants to Lower 2025 Hajj Costs; Here Are Details of the Hajj Costs in 2024
3 hari lalu
The Indonesian government is trying to reduce the amount of the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage Cost and the cost burden that must be paid by pilgrims.
Religious Affairs Ministry Talks About Possibly Closing Schools for 2025 Ramadan
4 hari lalu
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muhammad Syafi'i reveals the possibility of closing schools during the fasting month of Ramadan next year.
Indonesia Govt Aims to Reduce 2025 Hajj Costs to Rp85 Million
4 hari lalu
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs announced the government's efforts to lower the 2025 hajj costs (BPIH) and the financial burden on pilgrims.
Religious Affairs Minister Talks of Shortened Stay in Saudi Arabia for Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims
7 hari lalu
President Prabowo, the minister said, has asked for an improved, more efficient, and more orderly organization of the Hajj going forward.
6 Countries That Ban Christmas Festivities
7 hari lalu
Several countries have restrictions on Christmas that result from a complex interplay of political, religious, and social factors.
Religious Affairs Minister Vows More Affordable Hajj Costs in 2025
7 hari lalu
Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has announced that the cost of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will be more affordable.
Saudi Executions Rose Sharply in 2024
9 hari lalu
Saudi Arabia executed 330 people this year, the highest number in decades.
Indonesia Urges Saudi Arabia Improve Migrant Workers' Protection, Wage
16 hari lalu
Indonesia requests Saudi Arabia to provide guarantees for wage hikes and protection before reopening the migrant workers placement permit.
FIFA Announces Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup Host Despite Human Rights Concerns
22 hari lalu
FIFA announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from numerous human rights organizations.
Indonesia's Sri Mulyani Meets Saudi Counterpart to Discuss Taxes, Customs, and Zakat
25 hari lalu
Sri Mulyani met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister in Riyadh last week. What was discussed?
