Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to Crack Down on Those Turning Pilgrimage into a Business

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) will take disciplinary action against travel organisers and Hajj and Umrah guidance groups (KBIHU) that turn the pilgrimage into a business venture detrimental to the public. Deputy Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Monday that the President wants Hajj and Umrah not to be treated as commodities. “If I may put it more broadly, stop commodifying religion,” he said. Dahnil explained that the crackdown will target all organisers, from travel agencies and KBIHU to Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) and other parties involved in the implementation of Hajj and Umrah. According to him, every institution must function according to regulations. KBIHU, for example, must act as a guidance body, not engage in business activities that deviate from its duties. “KBIHU must function as a guidance group, not a business group. Travel agencies must also be honest, and we will build a strict supervision system so that pilgrims are protected, both in terms of service and finances,” he said. Dahnil emphasised that this enforcement measure is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to prevent the commercialisation of Hajj and Umrah. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister revealed that the government is still finding suspected fraudulent practices in the organisation of Hajj, including KBIH groups allegedly collecting pilgrims’ funds improperly. Therefore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is committed to taking action and disciplining all practices that harm pilgrims, ensuring that the implementation of Hajj and Umrah is more transparent, accountable, and oriented towards public protection.