Saudi Arabia Applauds Indonesia's Hajj Dam Payment System
Saudi Arabia’s government has appreciated the dam payment system for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2026. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said the achievement marks a new milestone in the governance of Indonesia’s Hajj pilgrimage, as it is regarded as more orderly, official, and transparent than in previous years.
As of mid-May 2026, around 80,000 Indonesian pilgrims had paid the dam in the Holy Land through the official Adahi Project. Meanwhile, about 20,000 pilgrims chose to complete the dam payment in Indonesia.
‘This is the first time in the management of Indonesia’s Hajj dam. The dam payment data has been praised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. This achievement has not occurred in previous years and is, of course, a positive marker for this year’s Indonesian Hajj,’ Dahnil said in Mecca on Wednesday (20 May).
According to Dahnil, the government respects the various fiqh views that exist within the community regarding the performance of the dam. Therefore, the government gives pilgrims the freedom to carry out the dam obligation in accordance with their own beliefs.
Pilgrims who believe the dam can be performed domestically, such as the Tarjih Muhammadiyah view and several other scholars, are invited to carry out the dam in Indonesia through the applicable mechanism. Meanwhile, pilgrims who hold that the dam is only valid when performed in the Haram area, in line with the views of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and some other scholars, are facilitated via the Adahi Project in Saudi Arabia.
‘In principle, the government does not enter the fiqh debate. The state exists to facilitate, protect, and ensure pilgrims can fulfil the dam obligation in accordance with their beliefs in a safe, official and accountable manner,’ he said.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, together with the Hajj Organising Officers (PPIH), also ensures that the dam and sacrifice payment system is increasingly straightforward and secure for pilgrims. The government hopes that the official mechanism will shield pilgrims from illegal transaction practices or fraud by unauthorised parties.
Dahnil also warned pilgrims not to make dam payments through unofficial channels because this risks misusing funds and obscuring the slaughter process.
‘We urge all pilgrims to exercise caution. Do not undertake dam payment transactions with parties that do not hold official licences. For those performing the dam in Saudi Arabia, use the official Adahi Project route. It is important that pilgrims are protected and the dam is carried out in accordance with the provisions,’ he stressed.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regards the more orderly dam management this year as part of the transformation of Indonesia’s Hajj administration. In addition to providing reliable service for pilgrims, the system is also seen as strengthening transparency, accountability, and protection for pilgrims during their rites in the Holy Land. (H-4)
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