Deputy Hajj Minister urges Hajj officials to devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving pilgrims

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has urged Hajj officials preparing to embark on the 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE Hajj mission to devote themselves entirely to serving Indonesian pilgrims wholeheartedly.

“Devote yourselves fully to carrying out your duties in the Holy Land. This is a sacred mission for all of you, for your families, and for the faith,” Dahnil stated after the briefing and send-off for Hajj officials at the Pondok Gede Hajj Hostel in Jakarta on Friday.

In initiating the 2026 Hajj mission, around 400 Hajj officials will begin departing for the Holy Land on Friday. They will serve as the advance team to ensure the readiness of services to welcome Allah’s guests.

The departing Hajj officials are those assigned to the Medina Work Area (Daker) and Airports. Meanwhile, the first batch of Hajj pilgrim flight groups (Kloter) will begin departing on 22 April 2026.

“Today you will depart; we entrust to you fully the mandate from the state, from Allah SWT, from the Hajj pilgrims. You are the spearhead of the success of Hajj 2026,” Dahnil said.

He also reminded them of the profile of Indonesian pilgrims, who come from diverse backgrounds. Some are capable in terms of istithaah (health, mental, and financial), while others are elderly or high-risk.

“Some are not able, but they are people who dare to strive to become able to perform Hajj. Most of them sell land, sell rice fields, or save throughout their lives to go on Hajj. The spirit of Indonesians is extraordinary. Therefore, do not betray their trust in undertaking Hajj,” he said.

Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the officials leading the Hajj mission are those assigned to the Airport Work Area (Daker) and Medina.

“The departure schedule for the 2026 Saudi Arabian Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) begins with the advance team on 13 April 2026, followed by the Airport Daker and Medina Daker on 17 and 18 April 2026,” Minister Irfan Yusuf said.

Subsequently, he added, officials from the Mecca Work Area (Daker) will be sent off in stages from 22-24 April 2026 to ensure the readiness of services for pilgrims in the Holy Land. Meanwhile, the Amirul Hajj is scheduled to depart on 19 May 2026.