REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- This year the hajj quotas of all countries would be back to normal after 20 percent reduction in the last four years due to the renovation of Masjidil Haram. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appreciated the policy, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

Indonesian annual quota would be back to 211.000 of pilgrims. There would also 10 percent additional quotas, so the total quota in 2017 would be 221.000 of pilgrims. 

“The president also requested a protection to Indonesian people in Saudi Arabia who contributed to the development of the country,” said Retno on Wednesday.

As many as 11 MoUs was signed during a bilateral meeting. An MoU on religion affairs was signed by the Indonesian Minister of Religion Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and the Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Preaching and Mentoring Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Alash-Sheikh. The signing was witnessed by President Jokowi and King Salman in the Presidential Palace, Bogor.

Arab Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani said the king was very happy to visit Indonesia. It was hoped to strengthen the bilateral cooperation of both countries.

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