JAKARTA: There is a huge demand from Indonesians to perform Hajj, since they form the largest Muslim population in the world, but to be able to go on one is not an easy matter. Most of those who want to go have to endure tedious years of waiting, and much also depends on where they live.
Residents in Bantaeng, a regency in Southeast Sulawesi, have to wait the longest — until 2050. Western Southeast Maluku regency has the shortest wait, with 57 people on the list to depart in 2020.
But some have been lucky enough to be able to go this year. Slamet Widodo, 54, a school principal from Semarang, Central Java, departed for Hajj on August 16 after he was selected as a member of the Semarang pilgrims’ regional observers’ team.
“I had to participate in a selection process from May to June, until it was confirmed that I was selected and would be able to go on Hajj,” he told Arab News.
Widodo applied as an observer last year and had already passed the selection process, but his place on the team was canceled at the last minute. “Maybe it was God’s way of showing that it was not yet my time to go on Hajj,” he said, and he found it a blessing in disguise because his school was selected to receive a government grant, and as the headmaster, he had to sign the agreement. “It happened during the Hajj season. If I had gone, my school would not have received the grant.”
Taufan Erikson Sjukri also found a blessing in the disguise of his delayed departure in 2015. Along with his siblings and sister-in-law, he registered to go on Hajj in 2012. He was told that he was on a three-year waiting list, and when the Hajj quota for Indonesia was reduced by 20 percent in 2013 from 211,000 to 168,800 because of renovations at the holy sites, he had to wait even longer.
Taufan found out that he was cleared to go this year; he also found that his older brother and sister-in-law, as well as an older sister, were all scheduled to go by the end of August.
“Maybe it was our luck to get postponed so that we could go together now. If it had been on schedule, we would have gone on Hajj separately,” Taufan told Arab News.
In January, President Joko Widodo announced that the government of Saudi Arabia has reinstated the quota back to normal for this year’s Hajj season.
“In addition to reinstating the quota back to 211,000, the government of Saudi Arabia has agreed to Indonesia’s request for additional quota and decided to add another 10,000. Therefore, the Hajj quota for Indonesia in 2017 increased from 168,800 to 221,000. That means Indonesia had a quota increase of 52,200,” the president said when he announced the news at the presidential palace on Jan. 11.
Despite the good news, it did not deter people from looking for shortcuts to go on Hajj sooner than if they were to wait by registering through the government.
On August 9, immigration officials at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, Southeast Sulawesi, stopped a group of 40 individuals aiming to go on Hajj using pilgrimage visas as they were embarking to Singapore but bound for Makkah.
“After questioning each one of them, it was confirmed that they were going to Saudi Arabia, but taking the unusual route via Singapore and Colombo, from where they would blend in as if they had departed for Makkah as part of the pilgrim group from Colombo,” immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno told Arab News.
Sampurno said they were victims of a bogus travel agent who offered them an alternative way to reach Saudi Arabia so they could perform Hajj without having to queue in for decades in the country.
“We were suspicious because we know the Kingdom doesn’t issue any other type of visa except for the Hajj visa during the Hajj season. This is a common modus people would take during this season,” Sampurno said, and the government has established that there are at least 9,000 Indonesians who reached Saudi Arabia using similar means and will be deported after Eid.
Sampurno said the case was similar to last year when 177 Indonesians were detained by Philippines authorities for posing as Filipinos and using fake Philippine passports to go on Hajj using the Philippines’ unused quota.
“Except that this time they don’t use fake passports, they just tried to blend in as if they were part of the Colombo delegation,” Sampurno said.
Increased Hajj quota comes as relief for Indonesians despite mammoth waiting list
Increased Hajj quota comes as relief for Indonesians despite mammoth waiting list
Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter
- Message delivered to minister during meeting in Riyadh
RIYADH: King Salman has received a letter from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inviting him to the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.
The message was delivered to Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd during a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.
The two sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.
The 45th GCC Summit takes place in Kuwait on Sunday.
King Salman asks people of Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain
RIYADH: King Salman called on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“Everyone who is able should be keen to perform the prayer, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad,” the Royal Court said.
Muslims are often asked to pray for rainfall in times of drought or other water shortages.
Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture
RIYADH: The Global Harmony initiative concludes its third edition with a week-long celebration of Egyptian music, art and tradition in Suwaidi Park as part of Riyadh Season.
Running from Nov. 24-30 and organized by the Ministry of Media, the event invites visitors to experience Egypt’s rich heritage through a range of cultural activities.
Speaking to Arab News, Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Tarek El-Meligy highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the two nations. “The Egyptian community is the most harmonious, coexistent and understanding in a positive way within Saudi society,” he said.
“If you ask any Egyptian which country they would like to live in after Egypt, they will say Saudi Arabia.”
Sarry Shaaban, an executive and consultant at the General Entertainment Authority, said: “We are talking about millions of visitors, both residents and Saudis, entering the park. Whether I’m a resident, a Saudi or from a country hosting the event, it provides an opportunity for residents to learn about your culture, colors, explore its arts, food, crafts, and traditional industries.”
Live music and dance performances displaying Egypt’s cultural traditions, with the rhythm of drums and flutes and performers in traditional costumes, have brought the life and spirit of Cairo’s streets to Riyadh.
A separate bazaar area has been set up featuring Egyptian cuisine, traditional clothing and handcrafted items.
“An event like this carries positive messages and highlights something we strive to emphasize every day, that we are one people, united by love and affection,” said El-Meligy.
Egyptian Sameh Nabil emphasized the feel of unity: “This initiative brought us closer together as Egyptians, and with Saudis here, I feel like we are brothers. I always feel like we are not expatriates.”
And visitor Khaled Zahir said: “This event reflects the love, connection and affection between Egyptians living in the Kingdom and Saudis.”
Egyptians make up 11 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to the Saudi Census, meaning such exhibitions are important in promoting mutual respect and harmony.
El-Meligy said Saudi Arabia hosted the largest Egyptian expatriate community abroad, with remittances from those in the Kingdom forming a significant part of their home nation’s income.
“In recent months, remittances from Egyptians abroad have increased substantially, thanks to the facilities between the two countries and the confidence in both the Saudi and Egyptian economies,” he added.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture. In his October visit to Cairo, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss investment opportunities and the establishment of a supreme coordination council to deepen bilateral relations.
Trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt saw a 35.16 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024, according to the General Authority of Statistics. The increase was driven by a 73.44 percent surge in Saudi imports from Egypt, totaling $4.18 billion.
Egypt has also shown a growing interest in investing in Saudi Arabia, with a 71 percent rise in licenses granted to Egyptian firms in the second quarter of 2024.
The festival, which began in October, highlights the lives, contributions and cultural integration of its residents. So far, it has celebrated cultures including Indian heritage and moving through Philippine, Indonesian, Pakistani, Yemeni, Sudanese, Bangladeshi, Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian traditions.
Riyadh Expo 2030 provides progress update to international exhibitions regulator BIE
- Members of Riyadh Expo 2030 update Bureau International des Expositions on progress toward hosting the event
RIYADH: A Saudi delegation representing Riyadh Expo 2030 took part in a Bureau International des Expositions meeting on Tuesday to review the Kingdom’s readiness to host the global event.
In November 2023, Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the 2030 World Expo between October 2030 and March 2031 in the capital, Riyadh.
The Riyadh Expo 2030 delegation took part in the 175th general assembly meeting of the BIE, a Paris-based intergovernmental organization which oversees and regulates World Expos, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They updated senior officials of the BIE about the latest Saudi developments and preparations for hosting the event. They also discussed progress on work to accommodate an expected 246 exhibitors, including countries, organizations and companies, at a site north of Riyadh.
Under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” the event aims to be a unique platform for innovations and modern technologies which aim to find answers to challenges facing the planet in various fields, according to the Expo 2030 website.
Hospitality sector innovations, trends showcased at Riyadh exhibition
- Event gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector
- Exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals
RIYADH: This year’s HORECA exhibition held in Riyadh is underscoring the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global hospitality market.
Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the three-day event concludes on Nov. 27 and gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector.
The event contributes to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering private-sector growth, promoting tourism, and enhancing the country’s food and beverage industries.
The exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals.
Visitors can sample creative dishes, observe new techniques in food and beverage, and explore sustainable packaging solutions, among other highlights.
Prince Waleed bin Nasser, guest of honor and CEO of Mukatafa Co., highlighted the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Speaking at a session on public policies impacting the food and beverage sector, he said: “The vision today aspires for the private sector to play a significant role in the development of the economy. The private sector must take the initiative to have a voice. To achieve this, it needs to be organized and united in presenting a single perspective.”
He also emphasized the need for proactive engagement: “We must work as one, united with a common vision, and present this vision in a professional manner backed by facts, ensuring that the decisions made have a positive impact on the sector and the citizens.”
Culinary competitions are among the highlights celebrating creativity and technical skills at HORECA. Mohammed Naif, a participant representing Saudi Arabia’s Hotel and Tourism Management Institute, told Arab News: “The atmosphere was amazing, and the competition was all about passion and enjoyment. There was a panel of judges and organizers who were very supportive — if you made a mistake, they would help you, and if you had an incomplete idea, they would guide you.
“I encourage anyone with a passion for cooking to join, showcase their creativity, and learn while bringing out their best.”
The exhibition also provided a platform for networking, with exhibitors showcasing local innovations as well as international brands. From cutting-edge hospitality tech to Saudi-inspired culinary creations, the event highlighted the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a global hub for the sector.
