Belitung Regent hopes prospective Hajj pilgrims will pray for the region's progress

Tanjungpandan - Belitung Regent Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat hopes that the 42 prospective Hajj pilgrims from the local area, who departed for the Holy Land on Thursday to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, will pray for the progress of the region and the prosperity of the local community. “I entrust you with prayers, so that you pray for this small district to become increasingly advanced, secure, and prosperous,” he said while seeing off the Belitung Hajj Pilgrim Congregation for 2026 at the Ishak Zainudin Multi-Purpose Hall in Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, in Tanjungpandan on Thursday. He hopes that the pilgrims will also pray for him to be granted strength and smoothness in carrying out his mandate as the number one person in the local government. “Also pray for me as a leader to be strong in carrying out this mandate,” he stated. He said that the Hajj pilgrimage is a grand spiritual journey that relies on a prepared heart and prime physical condition. “The Hajj pilgrimage is not an ordinary ceremony; it is a matter of the heart. There is a sense of awe, gratitude, and prayer in it. I am also happy to see you, who have saved for years, finally receiving the call to be guests of Allah,” he said. Many people, he added, are financially capable but may not yet get the opportunity or “call” to set foot in the Holy Land. “Please take care of your health. During the day there, the temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius, and at night around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius; don’t forget to eat and rest sufficiently,” he said. In addition to the pilgrims needing to always maintain their health, he said, they should also remain united and uphold the image of Belitung’s people who are known to be polite, humble, and helpful. He stated that he will pray for the pilgrims from the area to perform their worship with devotion and return to the homeland as blessed male and female Hajj pilgrims. “Safe travels, guests of Allah; depart in good health and return as blessed male and female Hajj pilgrims,” he said.