Coordinating Minister Yusril: Performing Hajj Unofficially Harms Oneself

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has urged Muslims in Indonesia to avoid non-procedural methods for performing the Hajj pilgrimage, including using visas other than the official Hajj visa.

“I also appeal as the government to the Muslim community, especially those intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, to simply follow the provisions already outlined by the government,” he said when met in Jakarta on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

The Coordinating Minister assured that the government has arranged various Hajj preparations. Performing Hajj unofficially will only harm oneself and cause problems upon entering Saudi Arabian territory.

“Do not use an ordinary passport to go to another country first, then proceed to Saudi Arabia. Sometimes, once in Saudi, there are problems because for Indonesian passports, a special visa is required, called the Hajj visa,” he stated.

He mentioned that one modus operandi for non-procedural Hajj is departing from Indonesia to a neighbouring country with visa-free access first, then continuing the journey to Saudi Arabia, resulting in being stranded.

Yusril also emphasised that the management of Hajj implementation differs from Umrah. Hajj is fully regulated by the government, while Umrah can be conducted by private organisers. According to him, this is one form of the state’s responsibility in helping the people fulfil their religious obligations.

Therefore, he continued, all Muslims intending to perform Hajj are asked to comply with the regulations prepared by the government.

“As long as the Hajj implementation is carried out according to the official provisions of the government and the organiser is now the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the government is responsible for its Hajj pilgrims,” he said.

Previously, the Immigration Office at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, prevented the departure of 13 Indonesian citizens suspected of intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage non-procedurally through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, in Tangerang on Tuesday (21/4), stated that the prevention efforts were part of intensive inspections by immigration officers on 18–19 April at Terminal 3 international departures.

“From the surveillance results, eight Indonesian citizens were found to be departing on flights to Jeddah using the modus of work visas. However, after further examination, they admitted their actual purpose was to perform the Hajj pilgrimage without official procedures,” he explained.