Religious Supervisor Urges Pilgrims to Make Hajj a Momentum for Self-Improvement

Makkah (ANTARA) - Religious Supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah Ministry (Kemenhaj) Asrorun Niam Sholeh urged all Indonesian prospective Hajj pilgrims to make the series of Hajj rites a momentum for self-improvement, for the family, and for the nation. ‘Improve the nation starting with improving oneself. The ethos of Hajj is the ethos of equality, togetherness, honesty and hard work,’ Niam said in Makkah on Tuesday. This reflective message is one of five key points conveyed by Niam as the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage approaches. The Government of Saudi Arabia has declared 1 Dzulhijjah 1447H as falling on 18 May 2026, hence the standing at Arafah will take place on 26 May 2026. Based on data as of 19 May, 189,350 Indonesian prospective Hajj pilgrims from 491 cohorts have arrived in Makkah. He urged the pilgrims to prioritise energy for the core rites of Hajj from 8-13 Dzulhijjah at Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. ‘Do not overexert yourselves, act with sense. Hajj includes a physical element and thus requires fitness, in addition to financial and mental-spiritual worship,’ Niam said. In addition to maintaining physical health, he also urged prospective pilgrims to increase worship, remembrance and the five daily prayers in congregation. For those in good health, it is recommended to go to Masjid al-Haram, while those unable or excused may pray at mosques near their accommodation, noting that all Indonesian pilgrims’ residences are located within the special Tanah Haram area. Niam also reminded of the importance of continuing to study the manasik procedures correctly, including understanding the rukun, wajib, and prohibitions of Hajj, so that pilgrims do not depart with insufficient knowledge.