Switching This Year, How Far is the Preparation for Digital Marriage Book?

Dream - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) targets all services of the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) to switch to digital, including marriage books.

This was conveyed by Kasubdit Mutu, Sarana Prasarana, and Sistem Informasi KUA Kemenag with SIMKAH (Marriage Management Information System) service.

"The target we want to achieve, through SIMKAH (Marriage Management Information System), is for services at KUA to switch from manual to digital, so that the services provided can be faster and more accurate," he said, written on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Regarding the plan, Jajang said that Kemenag is currently trying to fulfill the needs of data processing, the fulfillment of the quantity and quality of KUA human resources, and minimize inaccessible areas.

"Our target this year is for the manual marriage books obtained by the bride and groom to switch to digital," he added.

Previously, the Director of Bina KUA and Sakinah Family, Zainal Mustamin said that Kemenag continues to make improvements by completing features, strengthening security, and collaborating with various parties related to the development of the SIMKAH application.

"Our need for new technology will continue to grow. It must be continuously improved," said Zainal.

He said that the digitization of marriage services will be implemented massively to close the opportunity for deviations in the implementation of services. 

"Our way to reduce service deviations is by strengthening the digital system massively," he explained.

(Source: Kemenag)

Kemenag Releases List of Pilgrims Eligible to Pay the Hajj Costs in 2023, Check the List and Criteria Here

Dream - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) released a list of regular Hajj pilgrims eligible to pay the Hajj Travel Costs (Bipih) 1444 H/2023 M. 

Director of Domestic Hajj Services Saiful Mujab said that this list was released based on the distribution of provinces throughout Indonesia.

"The Director General of Hajj and Umrah has issued a circular to all Kemenag Provincial Offices to socialize it to the pilgrims," he said in Jakarta, quoted from the Kemenag website, Friday, March 24, 2023.

Saiful continued, if the Presidential Decree regarding the Hajj Organizing Costs (BPIH) has been issued, the payment process will be opened for pilgrims eligible to pay this year.

It is known that this year there are 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrim quotas. This number consists of 201,063 regular Hajj pilgrim quotas (including priority for the elderly), 865 quotas for Hajj Guidance and Umrah Group (KBIHU), and 1,572 quotas for Regional Hajj Officers (PHD). 

The list of Hajj pilgrims eligible to pay Bipih 1444 H can be accessed through the following link: http://bit.ly/JemaahBerhakLunasHajiReguler2023.

Meanwhile, the criteria for regular Hajj pilgrims whose names have been released and are eligible to pay the Hajj costs 1444 H/2023 M are as follows:

Criteria for Pilgrims Eligible to Pay Bipih

a. Hajj pilgrims who have paid Bipih and have not departed to perform the Hajj.

b. Hajj pilgrims who have paid Bipih in 1441 H/2020 M and have received the full payment for the Hajj Travel Costs in 1441 H/2020 M.

c. Hajj pilgrims with the smallest portion number in order until the quota is fulfilled based on SISKOHAT data with the following provisions: 1) active installment status; 2) have never performed the Hajj or have performed the Hajj for a minimum of 10 (ten) years; and 3) are at least 18 years old on May 24, 2023, or are married.

d. Elderly Hajj pilgrims are sorted based on the oldest age with a waiting period of at least five years in each province according to the quota, with a minimum age of 65 years before May 24, 2023.

Preparations for Hajj Implementation Reaching 80 Percent, Kemenag Prepares Elderly-Friendly Scheme

Dream - Director of Foreign Hajj Services Subhan Cholid said that preparations for the implementation of worship in Saudi Arabia have reached 80 percent. Kemenag will continue to prepare both in the homeland and the Holy Land.

There are four services that will be provided to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia, namely accommodation, transportation, catering, and masya'ir services (Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina).

Subhan stated that the transportation service includes inter-city pilgrimage buses (Madinah - Makkah and Makkah - Madinah), buses from the airport to hotels in Madinah and Makkah, as well as shalawat buses that will operate 24 hours to transport pilgrims from hotels to Masjidil Haram and vice versa.

Furthermore, the accommodation service prepared by Kemenag is to provide hotels for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

"For the preparation of transportation and accommodation services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, everything is already completed," said Subhan in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Subhan revealed that they have prepared 111 hotels for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims during their stay in Makkah. The rental system used is full season. 

Meanwhile, in Madinah, there are around 100 hotels prepared with three schemes, namely full-season rental, semi-season rental, and blocking time.

As for consumption and Masyair services, he said they are still in the finalization process.

"For consumption and Masyair services, they are still in the preparation and finalization process. Insha Allah, it will be completed in the month of Ramadan," he added.

In 2023, the hajj quota for Indonesia has returned to normal, which is 221,000 pilgrims. This number consists of 203,320 regular Hajj pilgrims and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims. 

According to Subhan, there are a total of 64,000 (30 percent) pilgrims who fall into the elderly category (above 65 years old). Therefore, Kemenag is preparing a special scheme to provide services to pilgrims, especially the elderly.

"We are still preparing a comprehensive service scheme. This is still being worked on by the team, including involving elderly experts from UI. This elderly-friendly service scheme will be implemented from the homeland to Saudi Arabia," he said.

In addition, they are also conducting simulations in Saudi Arabia regarding a senior-friendly Hajj scheme.

“We are also conducting simulations in Saudi Arabia, including the scheme of preparing special lifts for the elderly,” he added.

Aside from lifts, Subhan continued, they are also discussing with transportation companies in Saudi Arabia. Preparing buses with specifications that are friendly for the elderly. For example, lower decks, wider doors, and larger seats.

“For the Shalawat Bus, we are preparing 490 fleets. In addition, there are 10 percent or 49 fleets as reserves,” he said. 

Subhan mentioned that besides the services provided, the friendliness and readiness of the officers are key factors in the quality of service. 

“We will conduct training for the officers. Regardless of the situation, officers must prioritize a friendly attitude towards the pilgrims. This will help them psychologically and boost their spirits,” he explained.