DPR Hajj Oversight Team Urges Higher Tent Capacity in Mina

DPR Hajj Oversight Team member Abdul Wachid said that although the 2026 Hajj was better organised than last year, he highlighted several key issues during the Armuzna phase, particularly bus delays and overcrowded tents.

“There were some minor issues, particularly during the movement from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina,” Abdul Wachid said at Jamarat, Mina, Makkah, on Thursday, 28 May.

He revealed that some pilgrims were delayed until morning due to late bus arrivals from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina. Although all pilgrims were eventually dispatched, the issue requires serious evaluation.

“Some couldn’t leave until morning, but thankfully by 7am they were able to depart,” he said.

Beyond transportation, tent conditions in Arafah and Mina also concern the DPR Hajj Oversight Team. Abdul Wachid said tent capacity needs to be increased to provide pilgrims with better rest facilities.

He also noted that pilgrim arrangements in some tents were overly crowded.

“We want tent quality to improve. Pilgrims shouldn’t be packed like sardines,” he said.

To address these issues, the DPR Hajj Oversight Team proposed upgrading service standards from Package D to Package C for next year’s Hajj. This upgrade would improve tent quality, air conditioning facilities, and sleeping comfort.

Beyond Armuzna service reviews, Abdul Wachid stressed the importance of long-term contracts with hotels, travel agencies, and caterers. A five-year contract system, he said, would ensure stable service quality and simplify government evaluations.

“For next year’s Hajj to maintain good quality and service, we need five-year long-term contracts,” he said.

He stressed that service providers failing to meet standards must be immediately disqualified to maintain the quality of Indonesian pilgrims’ services.

The long-term contract proposal is also part of preparations for the government’s planned Indonesian Hajj Village.

“After the Hajj concludes, we will hold an evaluation meeting for 2027 preparations,” Abdul Wachid said.