Minister of Hajj and Umrah Outlines Focus on Service Improvements Following Return of 47,000 Pilgrims
As of Monday (8/6/2026), 47,012 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have returned to the homeland. Amidst the ongoing repatriation process, the Indonesian Minister of Hajj and Umumnrah (Menhaj), Mohamad Irfan Yusuf, has begun refining various steps to improve services for future Hajj operations, including preparing for a thorough overhaul for next year’s implementation.
This was stated by the Minister upon his arrival in Indonesia alongside part of the Amirul Hajj team, following their supervisory duties for the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj season in Saudi Arabia.
“As of today, 120 groups or 47,012 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have returned to the homeland. Alhamdulillah, all stages of the Hajj implementation, in general, have proceeded as expected. Certainly, there are still several shortcomings that serve as material for evaluation, but these will be part of the efforts to improve services in the future,” said Gus Irfan, as he is affectionately known, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Monday (8/6/2026).
According to him, the end of the peak Hajj period does not mean that the duty of serving the pilgrims is complete. Currently, the focus of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, together with the Hajj Organising Officers (PPIH), is to ensure that the entire repatriation process proceeds safely, comfortably, and smoothly until the final group arrives in Indonesia.
The repatriation phase via Jeddah Airport is scheduled to continue until 15 June 2026. Meanwhile, the second wave of pilgrims is beginning to move from Makkah to Madinah to continue their series of worship before being repatriated to Indonesia starting 16 June 2026. The final group is scheduled to arrive in the country on 1 July 2026.
“The peak of the Hajj has indeed concluded, but service to the pilgrims has not ended. All officers continue to work according to their respective duties and functions until the last group arrives in Indonesia. Our focus now is to ensure the repatriation process is safe, comfortable, orderly, and smooth,” he added.