Indonesia to send 221 thousand hajj pilgrims in 2025

The Saudi Arabia Government and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia have signed a Hajj Agreement (MoU) for the 1446 H/2025 Hajj season.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Saudi Arabia Government have signed a Hajj Agreement (MoU) for the 1446 Hijri/2025 hajj season.

The agreement was signed by the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar and his Saudi counterpart Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah, in Jeddah, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Tuesday.

“Alhamdulillah (all praises be to Allah), today we have just signed a hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia. There are several things that we have agreed on, one of which is the number of Indonesian hajj pilgrims who will depart during the 1446 Hijri/2025 hajj operational period of 221 thousand people,” Minister Nasaruddin Umar noted in Jeddah, Sunday (Jan.12).

The minister explained that the departure and return of the 221 thousand hajj pilgrims will be divided into two airports in Saudi Arabia. “A total of 110,500 pilgrims will arrive via Amir Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah and return via King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah,” he said.

“Meanwhile, the other half will arrive via King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah and return via Amir Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah,” he continued.

The preparation for the implementation of the hajj can be finalized immediately after the signing of the MoU, the minister hoped, while asking all parties involved in the preparation to exert their energy and minds so as to make the implementation of the 1446 Hijri/2025 hajj a success.

Indonesia currently has a quota of 2,210 officials or one percent of the pilgrim quota. The minister continues to lobby the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F Al Rabiah so that Indonesia can get an additional quota of officials.

“We continue to strive to get an additional quota of officials so that the number is more adequate to provide maximum services to Indonesian hajj pilgrims,” ​​he said.

One of the clauses of the MoU states that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has the right to reduce or increase the percentage of officials as needed. This will be updated after the completion of the service contract stages according to the predetermined schedule.

The MoU also regulates security issues. All pilgrims are asked to obey and comply with the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including those related to movement during the peak of the Hajj in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

Pilgrims are also asked not to carry out propaganda activities and raise their voices in public places. Instead, pilgrims are asked to respect and maintain the sanctity of the Two Holy Lands.

Other rules concern the use of photographic devices, including mobile phones, so as not to disrupt security and public order. Other prohibitions include: flying the flag of a particular country, publishing political and party slogans, or politicizing the Hajj season.

“We have also agreed on several security rules that will be applied during the movement of the Hajj pilgrims. In principle, the Indonesian government is ready to cooperate with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the security and comfort of pilgrims while in the holy land,” the minister said.

In addition to signing the MoU, the minister also attended the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah. He will also meet with several parties in Saudi Arabia to ensure the readiness of pilgrim services.

“Our focus is on how Indonesian hajj pilgrims can get the best service. We will prepare this from the start,” he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window