Competency certification based on the National Professional\nCertification Agency (BNSP) is considered essential to ensure that Hajj\nand Umrah guides possess measurable abilities in accompanying pilgrims.\nThis need is increasingly relevant as guides face pilgrims with diverse\nbackgrounds in terms of age, physical condition, and level of religious\nunderstanding.<\/p>\n
The importance of such certification was evident in the Skill\nUpgrading and Competency Testing Programme for Hajj and Umrah Worship\nGuides, organised by PT Akbar Ghani Wisata (Aghata Travel) in\ncollaboration with the Indonesian Sharia Tourism Professional\nCertification Body (LSP Parsya) and the Indonesian Association of Hajj\nand Umrah Muthawwif Guides (IPMHUI).<\/p>\n
The programme, held at Graha Aghata Tour in Depok, West Java, was\nattended by 12 participants from various regions. Briefings were\nconducted on Monday (14\/09\/2026), while the competency test before\nassessors took place on Thursday (17\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
The Head of LSP Pariwisata Syariah Indonesia, Wardi Taufik, stated\nthat competency certification serves as an instrument to recognise the\nabilities of officers working within Hajj and Umrah services.\n\u201cCompetency certification is not merely a piece of paper, but a form of\nstate recognition that a guide, tour leader, or tour guide for Hajj and\nUmrah truly possesses the competence required to serve pilgrims\nprofessionally, safely, comfortably, and in accordance with Sharia\nguidelines,\u201d Wardi said, according to a press release on Saturday\n(19\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
One of the participants, Ustaz Ferli Romansyah\u2014who is also the leader\nof the Al Qur\u2019an Bani Syahid Islamic Boarding School in Depok and a\nBrand Ambassador for Aghata Travel\u2014noted that the certification process\nprovides an opportunity to re-evaluate the knowledge used when\naccompanying pilgrims. \u201cCertification for guides and tour leaders is\nvery important, not only to legalise and recognise our competence in the\nfield, but also because the competency test by assessors reminds us of\nthings we might have forgotten or details that we may not have\npreviously considered,\u201d said Ferli.<\/p>\n
Ferli noted that the challenges in accompanying pilgrims relate not\nonly to the execution of the journey but also to the varying levels of\nknowledge regarding pilgrimage rituals (manasik) and jurisprudence\n(fiqh). This situation requires guides to understand the pilgrims\u2019\ncircumstances and adjust their assistance throughout the pilgrimage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most frequent challenge I face when accompanying Hajj or Umrah\npilgrims is the inequality of knowledge between one pilgrim and another.\nPilgrims are constantly reminded from before departure, through the\nrituals, and even while in the Holy Land; many pilgrims sometimes forget\nthe contents of the rituals despite attending several sessions. It is\nthis heterogeneity of pilgrims that challenges a guide to understand and\nrespond to every situation and condition,\u201d Ferli explained.<\/p>\n
For Ferli, certification must be accompanied by continuous capacity\nbuilding. A guide\u2019s knowledge must be constantly updated to meet the\ndiverse needs of pilgrims. \u201cNaturally, we must be more accountable for\nthe certification we have achieved. We must continuously seek knowledge,\nlearn from anyone more competent, and not forget to study books\nregarding Hajj and Umrah worship. The point is to never stop learning to\nbecome better,\u201d said Ferli.<\/p>\n
The President Director of PT Akbar Ghani Wisata, Haryanti Sonda,\nstated that certification is necessary so that the capabilities of\nofficers do not rely solely on experience. \u201cHajj and Umrah officers are\nnot only responsible for organising the journey but also for\naccompanying pilgrims in performing their worship,\u201d said Haryanti.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnsp-certification-becomes-standard-for-hajj-and-umrah-guide-competency-1789793609", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }