Kepri Haj Ministry Ensures Optimal Preparations for 2026 Hajj

Batam (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands Provincial Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kanwil Kemenhaj Kepri) has ensured that preparations for organising the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage are running optimally, from administration to dormitory facilities, all meticulously prepared.

Head of Kanwil Kemenhaj Kepri, Muhammad Syafii, stated that prospective Hajj pilgrims (JCH) in the region are now simply awaiting their departure schedule.

“Insya Allah, we have already prepared it. The Batam Hajj Dormitory serves as the embarkation point for four provinces, namely Kepri, Riau, Jambi, and West Kalimantan, so it must be prepared well,” he said when contacted in Batam on Wednesday.

He explained that preparations for departure documents have also been completed, including the issuance of visas for flight groups (kloter) originating from Kepri.

“For kloter 1, 2, and 25, Alhamdulillah, the visas have been issued,” he said.

In addition, the Hajj manasik process and administrative completeness for pilgrims have been finalised well in advance.

This year, he said, the number of prospective Hajj pilgrims from Kepri departing is recorded at 1,085 people.

According to Syafii, pilgrims are scheduled to start entering the Batam Hajj Dormitory on 21 April before being sent off to the Holy Land on 22 April.

Regarding facility readiness, his side will also conduct inspections together with relevant central government agencies.

“Later, there will be an inspection of the Batam Hajj Dormitory facilities by the Ministry of Health and the Main Health Quarantine Centre to ensure all services run optimally,” he said.

At the local level, the Batam City Hajj Ministry also ensures pilgrim readiness.

“For kloter 1 and 2, suitcases, manasik books, ihram cloth, and uniforms have been received. Meanwhile, kloter 25 is still in the shipping process,” said Head of Batam City Hajj Ministry, Syahbudi.

He stated that pilgrim preparations are thorough and they are just awaiting departure.

With the various preparations that have been carried out, Kemenhaj Kepri is optimistic that the pilgrim departure process for this year’s Hajj can run smoothly and orderly according to schedule.