Deputy Minister Releases 363 Hajj Service Officers for 2026
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak released 363 Hajj Organising Officials (PPIH) to ensure the success of the 1447 Hijriah Hajj pilgrimage. The release took place at the Pondok Gede Hajj Hostel on Friday, 17 April 2026.
The 363 officials hail from the Madinah and Airport work areas. They were dispatched to King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In his address, Dahnil stressed that the PPIH’s duties are not merely technical work. He described them as part of worship and a sacred mission that must be carried out with full responsibility. “We are ready to make the 2026 Hajj a success. Mental readiness is important, including the ability to manage emotions, so that the physical strength we have is truly supported by spiritual strength that is ready,” Dahnil said, quoted from a written statement on Friday, 17 April 2026.
Dahnil urged all PPIH officials to intend their departure as part of worship because they will serve Hajj pilgrims to ensure their pilgrimage runs smoothly. “This is a sacred mission, not just for ourselves, but also for family, religion, and the nation,” he said.
Dahnil stated that the diversity of backgrounds among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims must be responded to with maximum and empathetic service. He explained that the pilgrims’ profiles are diverse. Therefore, Dahnil emphasised fulfilling services as best as possible to all pilgrims, without discrimination based on background. “Ensure successful service, so that this year’s Hajj organisation becomes a new history for Indonesia, and we are part of it,” he stated.
Based on data from the Centre for Data and Information (Pusdatin) of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as of 15 April 2026, the profiles of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims show high diversity. In terms of occupation, pilgrims are dominated by housewives (52,717 people), followed by private employees (46,462), civil servants or PNS (40,143), and farmers (24,126). Meanwhile, in terms of education, the majority of pilgrims are elementary school graduates (55,217), high school/vocational school (52,796), and bachelor’s degree/S1 (51,968).
Regarding age, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are dominated by the 41–64 age group, with 58,461 men and 78,955 women. Additionally, there are elderly pilgrims over 65 years old, totalling more than 40,000 people.
Previously, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the government will focus on the security of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land. “The President has instructed us to make the safety and security of the pilgrims the top priority,” Irfan said at the Presidential Staff Office, in the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
Irfan explained that this security covers the journey from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and back, as well as security during their stay in the Holy Land. In addition, the government is also ensuring logistical security to support the pilgrims’ activities.
The 2026 Hajj implementation begins with pilgrims gathering at the hostel on 21 April. The following day, on 22 April, the first wave of Hajj pilgrims will be flown from the homeland. The first wave will be sent to Madinah before proceeding to Makkah. It is planned that the President will release the first group of pilgrims on 22 April. Then, the second wave is scheduled to begin flying on 7 May to Jeddah, then continuing to Makkah.
Irfan targets all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to be in the Holy Land by 21 May 2026. “The peak of Hajj is estimated on 25 to 26 May in Arafah,” Irfan stated.
Meanwhile, the first stage of the pilgrims’ return operations begins on 1 June. The return process for these pilgrims will be carried out in stages and is scheduled to end on 1 July 2026.
On the other hand, the officials who will serve the Hajj pilgrimage implementation have already begun to be dispatched. Irfan said the advance team was flown on 13 April 2026. Meanwhile, the Airport and Madinah PPIH began to be dispatched on 17 April.