Beware of Fake Departure Letters for Hajj Officials

All processes for dispatch of Hajj Organising Officials (PPIH) to Saudi Arabia have been completed, and all PPIH personnel are now in the Holy Land ready to serve pilgrims according to their postings in their respective deployment areas (Daker). The public advisory urges people to ignore any requests for personal documents or funds that purport to be on behalf of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia. The Ministry, through the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Facilitation (PHU) and the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah (KJRI Jeddah), warns the public to beware of various modes of illegal Hajj departures as Saudi Arabia tightens the policies governing the pilgrimage this year. Citing the Kemenhaj RI website, it should be understood that the Saudi government only recognises official Hajj visas as valid documents for performing Hajj. Pilgrims are urged to verify the type of visa they hold before departure. Tourist visas or other documents outside the regulations cannot be used for performing Hajj; only the Hajj visa issued by Saudi authorities is accepted. This warning is not without reason; Saudi security authorities have repeatedly acted against Indonesians attempting to perform Hajj with non-Hajj visas. The Jakarta Jeddah Consulate General has recorded cases where pilgrims were arrested for using fake Hajj credentials, counterfeit identity cards, or visas whose data did not match the passport holder. Wuquf—the stand at Arafah on the 9th of Zulhijjah—is the peak of Hajj. According to the Hajj Travel Plan 1447 AH/2026 AD released by Kemenhaj RI, 9 Zulhijjah 1447 AH/2026 AD falls on 26 May 2026, meaning Wuquf at Arafah will take place on 26 May 2026.