Deputy Minister Alleges Deliberate Removal of Tent Name Lists Causing Pilgrim Discomfort in Arafah and Mina

MAKKAH – Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has revealed concerns surrounding reports of pilgrim discomfort regarding tent management during the Armuzna phase (Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina). Dahnil suspects sabotage by certain parties deliberately removing name lists from tents in Arafah and Mina, causing chaos.

He explained that the ministry had prepared thoroughly by affixing name lists to each tent for orderliness. However, during implementation on the ground, these orderly sheets mysteriously disappeared due to being removed by irresponsible individuals.

‘The key point is that in Arafah, we must re-establish order in tent management. There has been disorder, such as with the data. We tried to put name lists on the tents, but they keep being removed. There’s disorder, some people deliberately remove them and disrupt the order, and the same in Mina,’ Dahnil Anzar told reporters in Mina on Saturday, 30 May 2026.

According to Dahnil, the disappearance of the name lists is not merely a technical issue or accidental. His ministry sees strong indications that certain individuals intentionally aim to create confusion to make tent management appear disorganised.

‘Because we have affixed the name lists here, indicating who should be where, but they are being removed. We suspect some parties are trying to disrupt the good management,’ he said.

Beyond internal tent issues, Dahnil also highlighted movement problems for pilgrims in Muzdalifah. The queue system, which was organised based on transit and regular mabit schemes, was disrupted due to impatience, exacerbated by provocation on the ground.

‘In Muzdalifah, for example, we have designated who should transit and who should stay overnight. However, pilgrims often become impatient with the queue for departure from Muzdalifah to Mina. This disorder is sometimes worsened by provocation on the ground. Therefore, we must improve all these aspects in the future,’ he added.

In response to these findings and disruptions, Dahnil assured the ministry would not stand idly by. A full review will be conducted to tighten oversight for future Hajj operations.

He instructed all frontline officers to be stricter and more cohesive to counteract moves by those trying to disrupt the pilgrims’ rituals.

‘Officers must be stricter and more united to manage the issues arising in the coming years,’ Dahnil said.