Ministry of Religious Affairs Involves Universities in Supporting Pilgrim-Friendly Mosque Programme

Jakarta – The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has announced that Islamic higher education institutions will be involved in the Pilgrim-Friendly Mosque Programme to provide services to the public during the Lebaran homecoming period.

Abu Rokhmad, Director General of Islamic Community Guidance (Bimas) at Kemenag, explained that the involvement of campuses would primarily come from state Islamic universities with medical faculties or public health faculties.

“We are also coordinating with UIN campuses, particularly those with medical and public health faculties, to actively participate in providing services at mosques located along the homecoming routes,” Abu Rokhmad said in Jakarta on Monday.

Beyond universities, Kemenag is also inviting madrasahs and scout organisations to support the services at pilgrim-friendly mosques.

The Pilgrim-Friendly Mosque Programme, he said, represents a collaborative effort between Kemenag and mosque managers situated along homecoming routes to provide comfort for travellers in need of rest facilities.

The mosque managers can also provide travellers with necessary information, such as the locations of tyre repair services or other facilities in the vicinity of travel routes, he added.

Abu Rokhmad noted that to date, 6,859 mosques have indicated their readiness to participate in the Pilgrim-Friendly Mosque Programme.

“We will also select mosques providing the best services to be given incentives as a form of appreciation,” he said.