Indonesia's Hajj Village Inspired by Habib Bugak al-Asyi
The Realisation of Kampung Haji in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is awaited by Indonesian pilgrims. The area is planned to become an integrated zone for Allah’s guests, both those performing Hajj and Umrah, from the homeland.
The Kampung Haji initiative is inspired by an endowment carried out by Acehnese trader Habib Bugak al-Asyi. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.
According to him, the government wants to revive the spirit of endowment, as practised by Acehnese people in the 13th Hijri century and coordinated by Habib Bugak al-Asyi.
“Habib Bugak has for more than 200 years provided a model of assistance that continues to benefit the Acehnese,” said Wamenhaj Dahnil to reporters at the Hajj Media Centre (MCH) during a visit to Sector 6 Mecca and meeting Acehnese pilgrims at the Burj Al Wahda Hotel on Thursday (21 May 2026) night local time.
Wamenhaj was welcomed by Acehnese hajj pilgrims staying at the hotel. The hotel is occupied by 53 flight groups (kloter) or more than 11,000 pilgrims. They came from Aceh Embarkation (BJT) numbering 5,482 people and Medan (KNO) 5,760 people.
Dahnil’s arrival was also greeted by the Imam of the Aceh Grand Mosque, Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh, Abu Paya Pasi.
According to Wamenhaj, the endowment model initiated by Habib Bugak serves as a template for the Kampung Haji programme that the Indonesian government intends to realise.
“What Habib Bugak did was done 200 years ago but its benefits continue to the present day for Aceh residents,” he said.
He cited the distribution of endowment funds worth tens of millions of rupiah per pilgrim, originally derived from Habib Bugak’s endowment.
Some Acehnese pilgrims receive financial benefits from that historic endowment. The link between Aceh’s history and pilgrimage, he said, is an important reason for recognising Aceh’s role in the national hajj ecosystem.
He also mentioned other initiatives, including the presence of aircraft at the Aceh Hajj Dormitory, which he says was the precursor to Garuda, the national airline. The placement of the “silent witness” at the Aceh Hajj Dormitory is part of a reminder of Aceh’s large contribution to Indonesia’s history.
“So, Aceh has a long history for the Republic. Aceh also has a long history for Indonesia’s hajj pilgrimage,” he said.
During his visit, Dahnil also highlighted the spirit of Acehnese pilgrims even though their region had recently suffered a catastrophe.
He expressed pride that payments for the Hajj Travel Expenses (BPIH) from Aceh were completed quickly, even in difficult conditions.
“We were initially unsure that Aceh’s hajj payments would drop. But it turned out that Aceh is one of the faster hajj repayments,” he said.