Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Targets Agreement on 2027 Hajj Costs by Next Week

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj), Mochammad Irfan Yusuf, targets the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Hajj Working Committee (Panja Haji) and the government to complete discussions on the 2027 Hajj Operational Cost (BPIH) within the next week.

Irfan explained that the process of calculating the magnitude of the Hajj costs is currently ongoing intensively. The government and Parliament are striving to determine a figure that is most proportional and feasible for pilgrims.

“The DPR Hajj Working Committee and our Hajj Working Committee are in continuous discussion; we are constantly calculating to ensure we establish the most appropriate figure. As of today, it is perhaps not 100 per cent complete, remaining at around 85 per cent,” said Irfan Yusuf in Jakarta on Monday (14/9).

Menhaj hopes that the discussions will soon reach a consensus. Once the BPIH figure is agreed upon by both parties, the amount to be paid by pilgrims will be submitted to the President for official determination.

“God willing, within the next week, we will be able to reach an agreement on the amount to be paid by pilgrims, which we will then submit to the President,” he added.

According to Irfan, certainty regarding the magnitude of the Hasting costs is crucial for pilgrims on the departure list for the current year. This will facilitate their preparations for the settlement of funds. Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah can immediately proceed with technical preparations for the implementation, both through domestic coordination and in Saudi Arabia.

Alongside the financial aspects, Menhaj also issued a special advisory to prospective Hajj pilgrims to undertake thorough preparations before departing for the Holy Land. He emphasised the importance of maintaining physical and mental health to ensure the entire series of rituals can be performed optimally.

“To the pilgrims, I ask that first, you prepare both physically and mentally, and also prepare your finances,” said the figure affectionately known as Gus Irfan.

He assessed that physical readiness is a key factor that must be addressed early on. Given that the Hajj rituals involve significant physical activity, a prime physical condition is essential for pilgrims to worship smoothly while in Saudi Arabia.

The government has proposed an adjustment to the 2027 BPIH to Rp107.34 million, using a scheme of 40% Bipih (pilgrim savings) and 60% benefit value to lighten the burden on Hajj pilgrims.