{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1814845,
        "msgid": "returning-from-hajj-with-debt-the-story-of-indonesian-pilgrims-1782028405",
        "date": "2026-06-21 13:32:47",
        "title": "Returning from Hajj with Debt: The Story of Indonesian Pilgrims",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNN_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah has highlighted the phenomenon of pilgrims returning from the Hajj burdened with debt, citing the case of a 72-year-old widow who borrowed money to fulfil her spiritual journey. The government, under President Prabowo's instruction, is now collecting data on such pilgrims to help ease their financial burdens.",
        "content": "<p>The Ministry of Hajj has revealed that many pilgrims return from the\nHoly Land saddled with debt. This was disclosed by Vice Minister of Hajj\nand Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak on Sunday (21\/6). Dahnil recounted a\nvisit he made today to the home of a 2026 Hajj pilgrim in Serdang\nBedagai. \u201cHer name is Nek Sania, 72 years old. She is a widow and lives\nwith her child in Serdang Bedagai,\u201d Dahnil said in a written statement.\nNek Sania, who works as a laundry worker, departed for Hajj in 2026. She\nregistered to become a pilgrim in 2014 using money given by her\nchildren. \u201cWhen the call to depart came in 2026, Nek Sania borrowed\nmoney from many parties so she could go. Ultimately, she departed for\nHajj this year, and those debts remain,\u201d he said. Dahnil acknowledged\nthat many people might question why someone would go into debt or force\nthemselves if they are not materially capable. \u201cThat common thinking is\nnot wrong. It is correct according to Sharia law, because Hajj is only\nobligatory for those who are able,\u201d he stated. However, Dahnil noted\nthat this reflects the unique spirit of religiosity in Indonesia. \u201cFor\nthem, Hajj is the pinnacle of spiritual perfection, and spirituality\noften cannot be interpreted solely through Sharia; many also interpret\nit through essence and even gnosis,\u201d he said. According to Dahnil, not\nall elements of spirituality can be rationalised. \u201cThere are unseen\nthings understood inwardly, just like love; often love cannot be\nrationalised. Hence the saying \u2018Love is Blind\u2019. Mahabatullah, the love\nand obedience to Allah SWT, is expressed by a Nek Nek Sania by \u2018forcing\nherself to be able to perform Hajj\u2019,\u201d Dahnil explained. Dahnil often\ndistinguishes between those who are financially able to perform Hajj and\nthose who strive to make themselves able, exhausting all lawful efforts\neven though their obligation is technically waived under Sharia.\n\u201cHowever, love for Allah and His Prophet cannot be reduced to mere\nSharia rationality,\u201d Dahnil said. Dahnil further stated that the\nMinistry of Hajj and Umrah will collect data on pilgrims trapped in such\ndebt. \u201cFinally, on the instruction of President Prabowo, we are\ncollecting data on Hajj pilgrims like Nek Sania so their burden can be\neased,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/returning-from-hajj-with-debt-the-story-of-indonesian-pilgrims-1782028405",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}