Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has asked the Religious Affairs Ministry to monitor and anticipate hot weather in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season this year.
"This year, the Hajj season is estimated to be quite hot, and many of the pilgrims are elderly. The Religious Affairs Ministry must prepare to protect them," he said while delivering a press statement after an Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) gathering here on Tuesday.
He gave the example of the heat wave that caused casualties in Thailand. He said that the weather in Saudi Arabia may be hotter than in Thailand.
"We need to anticipate the heat to reduce the casualties because in some countries, like Thailand, I read that 38 people died from the heat, and in Saudi Arabia, it will be hotter. Moreover, there are many pilgrims that are old people," he added.
Therefore, he asked the Religious Affairs Ministry to anticipate all problems that could affect Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, including hot weather.
"It is important for the Religious Affairs Ministry to prepare early and anticipate the possibilities that may occur there," he said.
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Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said that he will visit Saudi Arabia to check the final preparations for the 2024 Hajj services, ahead of the departure of pilgrims. The first batch of Hajj departures from Indonesia will begin on May 12, 2024.
"I will go to Saudi Arabia to see the final preparation of the services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. I will check in Mecca, Medina, as well as in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina," he informed.
He left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (May 7) for a four-day trip. He will return to Indonesia on May 11.