West Sumatra Flood-Affected Hajj Pilgrims Receive Rp20 Million Aid from UAE

The flash flood disaster that struck several areas of West Sumatra at the end of 2025 did not dampen the resolve of dozens of pilgrims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy land this year. Amid the trials they faced, they maintained their intention and struggled to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam. This steadfastness subsequently attracted the attention of the Government of the United Arab Emirates through the Zayed Foundation. A total of 33 Hajj pilgrims from West Sumatra affected by the disaster received assistance worth Rp20 million per person, totalling Rp660 million. The aid is part of the Zayed Foundation’s solidarity programme, which distributed funds amounting to 192,000 US dollars, or approximately Rp3.24 billion, targeting 162 disaster-affected pilgrims in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh. The Head of the West Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, M. Rifki, stated that the assistance was given as a form of concern from the UAE Government for pilgrims who remained enthusiastic about performing the Hajj despite having been affected by the calamity. ‘So, behind the disaster there is wisdom that Allah provides. When the disaster occurred in West Sumatra, Aceh, and North Sumatra, the United Arab Emirates showed its concern for the affected Hajj pilgrims,’ Rifki said on Sunday (21/6). According to Rifki, the Zayed Foundation requested data on Hajj pilgrims who were victims of the disaster and were departing for this year’s Hajj season. They considered that these pilgrims possessed extraordinary spirit because they continued to strive to perform the Hajj despite having to face various difficulties resulting from the disaster they experienced. ‘Perhaps they saw that there were pilgrims who kept fighting to go on Hajj amid conditions that were not easy. Some were economically affected, some lost property, but their enthusiasm for Hajj remained high. That is what was appreciated by the United Arab Emirates,’ he explained. From the proposals submitted, 33 pilgrims from West Sumatra were declared to meet the criteria and all received assistance. The recipient pilgrims came from several disaster-affected areas in West Sumatra. The aid funds have been distributed directly to each pilgrim’s account. ‘Alhamdulillah, all the pilgrims proposed from West Sumatra passed and received assistance. Each received Rp20 million and all have been transferred directly to the pilgrims’ accounts,’ he said. Nationally, the assistance was provided to 162 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims from three disaster-affected provinces: West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh. Rifki expressed appreciation and gratitude to the UAE Government and the Zayed Foundation for the attention given to Indonesian pilgrims, especially those from West Sumatra. According to him, the assistance was not only of material value but also served as a form of moral support for the pilgrims who continued to try to answer Allah’s call amid life’s trials. ‘This shows that the spirit and struggle of the pilgrims received attention from fellow Muslims in other countries. Hopefully, it will be an encouragement for the pilgrims and bring blessings to all parties,’ he concluded. The aid from the United Arab Emirates not only provided material support but also demonstrated the strength of humanitarian solidarity and cross-border Islamic brotherhood. Amid the trials of the disaster that once struck, the story of these pilgrims serves as a reminder that steadfastness of intention to worship often finds a way, even through unexpected means.