Menhaj: If Hajj costs rise, President requests no burden on pilgrims

President Prabowo Subianto has requested that if the costs of organising the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage must rise due to a surge in global aviation fuel prices, they should not be imposed on Indonesian prospective pilgrims. “The President hopes that whatever happens, if there is a cost increase, he requests that it not be burdened on our Hajj pilgrims,” said Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf during a Working Meeting (Raker) with the DPR RI’s Commission VIII in Jakarta on Wednesday. Menhaj Irfan stated that President Prabowo’s directive was conveyed during a limited meeting with government officials a few days ago. He explained that before the war broke out, the average flight cost per pilgrim was around Rp33.5 million. However, when the conflict erupted and oil prices soared, airlines proposed additional costs. Garuda Indonesia, he said, proposed an additional fee of about Rp7.9 million per person, while Saudi Airlines requested an increase of 480 US dollars per person. Despite facing such pressures, Menhaj Irfan emphasised that the President’s directive serves as the government’s primary guideline in formulating policy steps. “That is a commitment from President Prabowo that has been requested to us and the team to follow up and calculate the actual needs required,” said Menhaj Irfan. In addition, the Ministry of Hajj has scheduled the first group of prospective pilgrims to enter Hajj dormitories on 21 April 2026 and depart for the Holy Land on 22 April. “So, Insha Allah, the President has offered a solution and provided a solution to ensure that the burden on Hajj pilgrims is not increased, even though there is an aviation fuel increase,” said Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.