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INDONESIA’S national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, has launched a program dedicated to helping disadvantaged people.
The umrah is a religious Muslim pilgrimage made every year to Mecca (also known as Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
While umrah is less expensive and time-consuming than haj, which is the major Islamic pilgrimage, it still comes at a price.
With flights, visas, accommodation, and spending money to consider, the trip can easily cost in excess of US$2,000.
But with Garuda Indonesia’s new “Sedekah Umrah” (Umrah Donations) program up and running, more people should be able to embark on this life-altering journey.
The program has the support of the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Haj and Umrah Providers Association who were responsible for setting up the inclusive travel package.
The airline’s domestic commerce director Nina Sulistyowati and the Religious Affairs Ministry’s secretary-general Nur Syam in Jakarta signed the agreement last Friday.
Sulistyowati said the idea for the program was presented back in April at the Indonesia Travel Fair.
The launch of the program coincides with the Ramadhan festival in the Islamic calendar.
The holy Ramadhan month is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a time when more fortunate people give to those who are disadvantaged.
With this in mind, Garuda Indonesia and the Religious Affairs Ministry hope flyers with bundles of air miles will donate in the thousands.
For every 80,000 collected, one person will be afforded the opportunity to embark on umrah.
According to Sulistyowati, the equivalent of one umrah package has already been donated but Garuda Indonesia is hoping for 99 more.
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 in Saudi Arabia.While umrah is less expensive and time-consuming… "Pin It")
Source: travelwireasia.com