RI Deserves Dispensation in Hajj Quota Cut

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia deserves dispensation in the hajj quota cut the Saudi government will impose this year, the Indonesian Hajj Solidarity Association (IPHI) said.

"The Saudi government must give dispensation with priorities and the quota cut must be shared transparently," General Chairman of the IPHI Kurdi Mustafa said during a thank-giving function held to observe the 23rd anniversary of IPHI here on Sunday night.

He said that his side supported the Indonesian government's efforts to obtain dispensation priority from Saudi Arabia which would cut hajj quota by 20 percent this year.

Kurdi said that Religious Affairs Minister Suryadarma Ali would soon held diplomatic dialogs with the Saudi government over the dispensation.

"The Indonesian government is proposing it but we do not know the results yet. We hope we can get priority," the IPHI chairman said. (*/M038)