Deputy Hajj Minister Claims Major Improvements for Hajj 2026, From Departures to Nusuk Card

Jeddah, Kompas.com — The Deputy Amirul Hajj and concurrently Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, says there have been several crucial improvements in delivering the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. One area is the arrangement of departure clusters to address pilgrims separated from their family members. ‘There have been many crucial improvements. Usually there are instances of mahram or family members being separated. Up to today at departure, we have not found any mahram separation. Alhamdulillah, there have been many changes in that respect,’ Dahnil said on Monday (18 May 2026) in the Saudi Arabian time late afternoon. ‘Secondly, the Nusuk Card distribution is done in Indonesia. Now all have been distributed in Indonesia. Although some were not yet distributed, they are distributed upon arrival but not obtained weeks later,’ he said. On domestic logistics services, the Wamenhaj assures that provision of meals for pilgrims while in the homeland runs without notable obstacles. ‘Domestic consumption issues are proceeding well, there is no poisoning, no food not in accordance with its grams, and continuously, everything runs smoothly,’ he said. ‘Including domestically, transport issues are also running well. For example, Garuda (Airlines) when I departed reported its on-time performance at 98 percent, meaning it’s better than last year’s 80-something percent,’ he said. Although many aspects run smoothly and have improved, Dahnil emphasised that caution must still be maintained. ‘This year is already very strict, but of course there are still problems (PR) that we need to fix. In the Holy Land, we will monitor health issues strictly, such as demesia, infectious diseases and so on,’ he said. Earlier reports stated that the Indonesian Amirul Hajj teams began arriving in Saudi Arabia to ensure smooth pilgrim services and to conduct strategic diplomatic missions with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the host. There will be three teams working during their stay in Saudi Arabia. The other two teams will follow on Tuesday afternoon, 19 May 2026 at 17:40 WAS: the KH Ahmad Dahlan group led by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah RI, Mohammad Irfan Yusuf. Next there is the HOS Cokroaminoto group led by the Minister Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar.