Hajj Ministry Reveals Many Pilgrims Trapped in Debt

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has found that many Hajj pilgrims are trapped in debt. This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, on Sunday (21/6). Dahnil recounted the matter after visiting the home of a 2026 Hajj pilgrim in Serdang Bedagai. “Her name is Nek Sania (72 years old). She is a widow and lives with her child in Serang Bedagai,” Dahnil said in a written statement. According to Dahnil, Nek Sania is a Hajj pilgrim who departed in 2026 and works as a laundry worker. In 2014, Nek Sania registered to become a Hajj pilgrim using money given by her children. “In 2026, the call to depart arrived. In order to go, Nek Sania borrowed from many parties. Ultimately, she departed for Hajj this year, and the debts remain,” Dahnil said. “We at the Hajj Ministry are recording the conditions of our Hajj pilgrims, and many are like Nek Sania,” Dahnil added. Dahnil further stated that the ministry will continue to collect data on pilgrims who are trapped in debt like Nek Sania. “On the orders of President Prabowo, we are recording Hajj pilgrims like Nek Sania so that their burden can be eased,” Dahnil said.