VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (the largest Islam organization in Indonesia), Said Aqil Siroj, appreciated the government for accommodating an additional 10 thousand hajj pilgrims in the Indonesian hajj quota, following President Joko Widodo's visit to Saudi Arabia.

"On behalf of Muslims, we express our appreciation. Thank you [to the] Saudi King and President Jokowi (Joko Widodo)," Said Agil told reporters here Monday.

He said the additional hajj quota was confirmed following President Jokowi's meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.

"President Jokowi met King Salman. There has been confirmation about the additional quota of 10 thousand that takes the total to 231 thousand (Indonesian hajj pilgrims)," he noted. (ant)

Said added that the additional quota will benefit Indonesians who have to wait for long for hajj departures.

According to him, this additional quota is expected to provide older people an opportunity to undertake hajj sooner than expected.

"It is definite that prospective older hajj pilgrims would get a better opportunity," he said.