Deputy Hajj Minister Dahnil Anzar: Do Not Turn Pilgrims into Economic Commodities

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak has issued a stern warning to all ranks of the Ministry of Hajj not to treat Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as economic commodities. He stressed that the primary orientation of Hajj management must be entirely focused on service. “We want to stop the bad practice of turning Hajj and Umrah pilgrims into economic commodities. They must be subjects, agents of civilisational and moral transformation,” Dahnil said during the closing of the National Working Meeting for Hajj Management Evaluation at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Monday. Dahnil explained that all ministry officials, at both central and regional levels, bear three major mandates that must be accounted for seriously. He emphasised the importance of achieving three success targets, or ‘Trisukses’, in Hajj management. The first is Ritual Success, ensuring pilgrims can perform all Hajj rituals safely, comfortably, and solemnly, from departure to return to the homeland, covering technical readiness such as accommodation, transportation, and other field support. The second is Hajj Economic Ecosystem Success, in line with President Prabowo’s directive that the large annual turnover of Hajj and Umrah funds should boost national economic growth and benefit the wider community. However, Dahnil stressed that this economic strengthening must not sacrifice the pilgrims. “Our task is to facilitate them in performing their worship as best as possible, not to turn them into economic objects,” he asserted. The third is Civilisational and Moral Success, where the Hajj is expected to become an instrument of national transformation, with pilgrims returning from the Holy Land bringing a stronger spirit of nationalism to contribute to Indonesia’s progress.