Breaking Fast with 2026 Pilgrims, Sahid Tour Seeks Prayers for Smooth Hajj Pilgrimage
The brutal and devastating attack by Israel and the United States against Iran on Saturday (28 February) sent shockwaves throughout the world.
As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, prospective hajj pilgrims (Calhaj) have been urged to remain calm and continue praying to Allah Almighty for a smooth conduct of the 2026 hajj season. “The Gulf War has broken out, and we, as the Hajj Travel Organiser (PPIH), are quite concerned. We beseech our prospective pilgrims of Sahid Tour to continue praying to Allah Almighty so that this year’s hajj pilgrimage can proceed smoothly and without disruption,” said Sahid Tour President Director Hariyadi BS Sukamdani at a breaking fast (iftar) gathering with Sahid Tour’s 2026 pilgrims at Hotel Sahid, Jakarta, on Sunday afternoon (1 March).
Hariyadi also advised approximately 500 prospective pilgrims of Sahid Tour 2026 to maintain their health and fitness so that during the hajj pilgrimage in May, they can perform the fifth pillar of Islam in the best possible manner. “Given that the hajj pilgrimage is drawing near, let us look after our health together. We also apologise if there have been any shortcomings in our service,” said Hariyadi, who wore a white traditional shirt and black cap.
Sahid Tour Director Hari Prakoso added that during the month of Ramadan, the company had distributed assistance to orphans and the poor at several orphanages, including at Sahid Tour branches in Solo, Semarang, and other locations.
“So there were funds from our prospective pilgrims of 2026 that we set aside for those orphanages. We ask for their understanding. We also request their prayers for the smooth conduct of our hajj pilgrimage,” said Hari Prakoso.
At the same occasion, Sahid Tour’s Asep Imam S outlined the company’s readiness for the 2026 hajj. According to him, all hotel accommodation contracts and meal arrangements in Saudi Arabia have been finalised. Similarly, the passport processing is complete, whilst visa processing is scheduled to be completed by 1 Syawal 1447 H. “God willing, Sahid Tour is fully prepared. We only have two more online and in-person hajj training sessions in Yogyakarta. Then on 18 May we will depart for the holy land,” explained Asep.
In his religious sermon, KH Imam Tohari, who also serves as Sahid Tour’s hajj guide, explained the close relationship between Ramadan fasting and the hajj pilgrimage. “Ramadan and hajj are an inseparable sequence. Before performing the hajj, we are upgraded or trained through the practice of fasting or shiyam. Thus our spiritual and mental readiness will be better prepared,” said Imam Tohari. He elaborated on the famous Quranic verse Al-Baqarah verse 183, which mandates the practice of fasting. The essence of fasting or shiyam is imsak, or self-restraint.
“Through fasting, spiritually we restrain uncontrolled or negative desires. Meanwhile, in today’s world, we are taught to rush forward with technological advancement. We can order food online ready to eat. So faster is better—that is today’s worldly teaching. However, shiyam teaches us to hold back, to delay. This is an extraordinary teaching that trains our desires and teaches us to be able to exercise self-control,” he explained.
Thus, over one month through shiyam, Allah teaches us to refrain from eating and fulfilling biological needs and sexual desires. These are not stopped but rather restrained and controlled. He also highlighted the phenomenon of corruption arising from people’s inability to restrain themselves in pursuing desires and accumulating wealth through unlawful means.
He then drew a connection between the ability to exercise restraint and the hajj, using the example of the first ritual of hajj—ihram, in which pilgrims wear unstitched garments, particularly for men. Through ihram, all desires to present oneself with worldly attributes are forsaken.
“Through ihram, all worldly attributes are set aside. We are also not permitted to cut our nails or engage in sexual relations; we restrain ourselves in all things. Therefore, I urge all of us to fast as best as we can, because the success of our fasting now will support the success of our hajj, God willing,” he concluded.
Governor Khofifah also expressed appreciation for the various strategic support from the Saudi Arabian government to Indonesia and East Java in particular in the conduct of the hajj pilgrimage.
With increasingly strong cooperation, it is hoped that information regarding development and government activities can be conveyed to the public responsibly.
This event was not merely an occasion to enjoy breaking fast together, but also an opportunity to share happiness with others.
The activity is hoped to inspire various parties to take concrete action that can strengthen a sense of concern and solidarity amongst one another.