Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Praises Bank Sumut for Being More Advanced Due to Grand Hajj Ritual Event
Medan (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj), Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, assessed that PT Bank Sumut (Perseroda) is more advanced because it organised the Grand Hajj Ritual 1447 H/2026 M.
“Other Sharia banks do similar things (Hajj rituals). Although we must mention that what Bank Sumut does is advanced, more progressive,” Dahnil emphasised after closing the Grand Hajj Ritual 1447 H/2026 M by Bank Sumut at the Medan Hajj Hostel, North Sumatra, on Tuesday.
More advanced, Dahnil continued, because many other Sharia banks in the region do not hold Hajj rituals for every customer when the Hajj season arrives each year.
The Deputy Minister hopes that Bank Sumut, one of the Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD) owned by the North Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov Sumut), remains committed to Hajj-related agendas.
“I mean more advanced because there are banks that do not do it, but Bank Sumut does it. That means Bank Sumut Syariah wants to build trust,” Dahnil explained.
His side suggested that this regional development bank (BPD) establish cooperation with the North Sumatra Provincial Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Based on data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah RI for 2025, Indonesia’s Hajj quota is set at 221,000 people, and Umrah pilgrims around three million people.
“Therefore, if the Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Ministry of Hajj in North Sumatra together with Bank Sumut can ensure that the cooperation runs well, we will fully support Bank Sumut,” he stated.
“But up to this moment, Bank Sumut’s commitment is good, full commitment to Hajj pilgrims. Therefore, we hope that the number of Hajj savings customers at Bank Sumut will increase,” Dahnil revealed.
Bank Sumut’s President Director, Heru Mardiansyah, explained that the implementation of this grand Hajj ritual was attended by 1,661 participants out of a total of 1,807 customers who have paid their Hajj fees this year.
His side stated that Bank Sumut’s grand Hajj ritual was held in two waves, namely 31 March–3 April, and 5–8 April 2026.
According to him, the participants are customers of Bank Sumut Syariah’s Smart IB Makbul Savings from various regions in North Sumatra.
“This ritual is the 15th implementation since it was first held in 2006, after being temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Heru clarified.