Prabowo lauds improved services for Hajj pilgrims

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed appreciation to all officials involved in organizing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, saying that services for Indonesian pilgrims ran smoothly and showed improvements in cost efficiency and overall quality.

Prabowo also thanked the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the House of Representatives' Commission VIII, the Hajj Supervisory Team, and other agencies that contributed to this year's pilgrimage operations.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, also serves as Presidential Spokesperson, said Prabowo conveyed his appreciation during a press briefing at the President's private residence in Hambalang, West Java, on Wednesday (June 17).

About 2,000 Hajj officers had carried out their duties with discipline, dedication, and commitment to providing the best possible services for Indonesian pilgrims, Prasetyo said, relaying the president's remarks.

Prasetyo said the success of the 2026 pilgrimage resulted from cooperation among all stakeholders. Prabowo also prayed that Indonesian pilgrims would become hajj mabrur, a term referring to an accepted pilgrimage.

"The president emphasized that this achievement was made possible through cooperation from all parties, including the pilgrims themselves," Prasetyo said.

Prabowo met with the Hajj Supervisory Team, Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, and Deputy Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak on Wednesday to receive an evaluation of the 2026 pilgrimage.

According to Prasetyo, the meeting at the President's residence lasted about two and a half hours and focused on the implementation and outcomes of this year's Hajj season.

Hajj Supervisory Team chairman Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal who is also deputy speaker of House of Representatives, said reforms pursued by the government had begun to show results under Prabowo's administration.

"The improvements we sought have been realized and implemented under President Prabowo's leadership," Cucun told reporters after the meeting.

He said the reforms included lower pilgrimage costs compared with previous years, while services provided to pilgrims had also improved significantly.

Nearly 17,000 regular pilgrims were accommodated in Zone 1 near the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, including in five-star hotels, allowing easier access to places of worship, Cucun said.

Beyond accommodation, meal services also improved following successful negotiations with service providers, resulting in more diverse menus tailored to Indonesian tastes, he added.

Related news: New Saudi rules could reshape Indonesia's 2027 hajj operations

Translator: Genta TM, Rahmad Nasution

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

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