Hajj and Umrah Ministry Ensures Equal Service for Pilgrims at Arafah

Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf directly reviewed the readiness of Indonesian pilgrims’ tents in Arafah on Thursday (21 May). The inspection was carried out to ensure that services for pilgrims run optimally ahead of the peak Hajj rites in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). During the check, the Ministry found several notes regarding tent capacity that still required adjustments.

‘We want to ensure all Indonesian pilgrims receive a decent and comfortable place during the peak Hajj period. Therefore, all findings today will be followed up,’ Menhaj said.

Based on field checks, there were capacity discrepancies in several tents. For example, a tent that should accommodate 350 pilgrims actually provides only 332 spaces. This could risk shortages of rest space if repeated across multiple locations.

Menhaj stressed that the authorities do not want a repeat of last year’s problems, when limited tent capacity affected services to pilgrims. ‘We will calculate everything manually and in detail. We must not have any pilgrims who do not get a place,’ he asserted.

In addition to checks in Arafah, the government will also check the readiness of tents in Mina, where pilgrims will stay longer during the Armuzna phase. The PPIH team was instructed to complete all deficiencies within the coming days.

At the same time, Menhaj emphasised that all tent arrangements, distribution of kloters, and pilgrim mobility are under full control of PPIH. Therefore, the Hajj and Umrah Guidance and Boarding Group (KBIHU) was asked not to arrange on its own in the field. ‘All arrangements are to be centralised by PPIH so that services are more orderly and measurable,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said they had regulated various KBIHU identities and unofficial banners installed around the Arafah tent area. ‘We immediately removed the KBIHU identities and banners that were not official. This is a reminder that no group should control any tents,’ he said. He emphasised that all pilgrims have the same right to receive services without discrimination by any particular group. ‘There must be no tents dominated for the benefit of a particular group,’ he stressed. Dahnil also reminded that the government will impose strict sanctions on KBIHU found to be taking over tents for group interests.

One scheme praised by Cak Imin included the division of Indonesian pilgrims’ tents in Arafah with by-name labels, and the arrangement of Hajj transportation.

On 9 Zulhijah (Tuesday, 26 May 2026), pilgrims will perform wuquf in Arafah before moving to Muzdalifah and Mina in the late afternoon to evening.

Marwan explained that previous Hajj seasons revealed major problems often surface when Armuzna’s peak begins.

Wamenag highlighted the Hajj Ministry’s breakthrough in applying a tent placement system in Arafah based on pilgrims’ by-name registration.

DPR RI’s Hajj Working Committee urged the 241,000 Indonesian pilgrims to maintain health and reduce heavy activities ahead of the peak in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

Menteri Haji dan Umrah (Menhaj) Republik Indonesia, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, after visiting pilgrims at Balikpapan Hajj Dormitory, Sunday (10/5).

“We want to ensure that every grain of rice consumed by the hajj pilgrims has the best quality and Nusantara flavour.”