Reminder to Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Not to Go on City Tours, Deputy Minister: Focus on Worship

Jakarta - Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak has once again reminded Indonesian pilgrims to focus on worship upon arriving in the Holy Land and to avoid tiring activities. Activities such as city tours and excessive shopping will drain energy. “As a result, pilgrims may struggle to participate in the peak Hajj activities,” he said in a video statement on the Ministry of Hajj’s YouTube channel on Thursday (30/4/2026). “Focus on the worship being performed, and do not engage in excessive actions or activities such as over-shopping, city tours, or unnecessary pilgrimages,” he added. At that time, two Hajj and Umrah Guidance Groups (KBIHU) took pilgrims on sightseeing trips without permission or notification to the Saudi Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH). Regarding this, Dahnil stated, “We will certainly take firm action against those two KBIHUs.” This incident, he said, serves as a reminder to all KBIHUs currently accompanying Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land. The Ministry of Hajj requests that all KBIHUs serving and coordinating Hajj pilgrims always coordinate and comply with all directives and rules set by the Saudi PPIH or the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. However, this does not mean the Ministry of Hajj prohibits pilgrims from sightseeing. Dahnil explained that the Ministry has facilitated free visits to appropriate pilgrimage sites, namely the Qiblatain Mosque and the Quba Mosque. The Head of Public Relations for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Moh. Hasan Afandi, stated that the accident occurred on 28 April 2026 at 10.30 WIB. “Bus SUB-2, which was travelling, collided with the side of bus JKS-1,” said Hasan. Regarding the incident, Hasan mentioned that 10 pilgrims were injured: seven from JKS-1, two from SUB-2, and one administrator from KBIHU Nurul Haramain. One injured pilgrim from SUB-2, 60-year-old Sri Sugihartini, required treatment at Al Hayat Hospital in Madinah. Acting Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, said the accident happened while returning from a tourist activity at Jabal Magnet.