The implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage, said the General Chairman of the Association of Muslim Hajj and Umrah Organizers of the Republic of Indonesia (AMPHURI) H. Firman Muhammad Nur, M.Sc., must be carried out comprehensively. Therefore, all parties involved must synergize, and related rules and laws must also be updated. Moreover, in the next six years, Indonesia's Hajj quota is predicted to increase threefold.

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Ideally, Firman continued, Indonesia would have a Ministry of Hajj that focuses on improving hajj services. However, the government granted the aspirations of AMPHURI and similar associations by forming the Hajj Organizing Agency (BPH). "We still welcome it with pleasure. So, currently there are three institutions and ministries that organize the hajj: the Ministry of Religion, BPKH (Hajj Financial Management Agency), and BPH (Hajj Organizing Agency)," he said.

The Saudi Arabian government is very serious about handling the organization of the hajj. After the end of the 2024 hajj season, the next day they immediately prepared the hajj for the following year.

Especially since Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud became Prime Minister. "Saudi Arabia does not only rely on the oil and gas sector, but also optimizes other sectors as sources of state revenue. They have a vision for 2030, one of which targets state revenue from hajj and umrah," he explained.

The Saudi government is targeting the arrival of hajj pilgrims to increase threefold from now (1.5 - 1.8 million) in the next six years. “This is an extraordinary ambition and we must respond. For Umrah, they are targeting 30 million pilgrims per year; currently it has only reached 15 million Umrah pilgrims per year,” said Firman.

The organization of the Indonesian Hajj involves many parties. However, according to Firman, its management is still not comprehensive. “Therefore, from the previous AMPHURI National Conference, we proposed that the nomenclature of the Hajj be changed from merely organizing to the Hajj ecosystem,” said Firman Muhammad Nur to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Meidianto during a visit to the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, recently. The following is an excerpt from the interview.

Some time ago, you proposed the establishment of a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for President Prabowo's cabinet. However, the proposal was accommodated by forming the Hajj Organizing Agency. What is your response?

We express our appreciation for the response to the aspirations that have been voiced. Before the Red and White Cabinet was formed, we had indeed discussed the need for a Ministry of Hajj. AMPHURI as one of the proposers has provided a concrete proposal regarding the establishment of this ministry. The ministry is greatly needed to anticipate the increasingly complex implementation of hajj and umrah in the future. However, when the decision was to form an institution in the form of an agency, namely BPH, we still welcomed it with pleasure. So, now there are three institutions that organize the hajj: the Ministry of Religion, BPKH and BPH.

This means that the Prabowo government has considered that there is something important to be encouraged in organizing the hajj pilgrimage in order to provide benefits and certainty of departure. Of course, what is needed is maximum service for the community who will go on the hajj.

This BPH is at the same level as an agency, while in Saudi Arabia there is the Ministry of Hajj, so it is not yet equal. What do you think is the way to overcome this gap?

That is the main reason why we proposed the Ministry of Hajj. Since becoming Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud has not only relied on the oil and gas sector, but has also optimized other sectors as sources of state revenue. They have Vision 2030, where one of the targets is state revenue from hajj and umrah. In the next six years, their target is to increase the number of hajj pilgrims three times from now (1.5–1.8 million). This is an extraordinary ambition and we must respond. For umrah, they are targeting 30 million pilgrims per year, while currently it has only reached 15 million per year.

This independent Ministry of Hajj focuses on improving pilgrim services, facilitating arrivals, providing easy pilgrim services, and working all year round. In Indonesia, this service tends to be incidental, only intensively approaching the hajj season. In fact, pilgrims from Indonesia are the main target of the Saudi government because they are the largest in number. The funds circulating from hajj and umrah are also very large. According to the Ministry of Finance, the amount reaches IDR 160 trillion per year. In the economic field, we have not optimally studied and utilized the existing hajj funds. Therefore, there needs to be a level equal to the Saudi government to discuss various matters related to hajj, so that the benefits can be truly maximized. From the AMPHURI National Conference, we proposed that the hajj nomenclature be changed from merely organizing to an ecosystem.

This is what the government and various interested parties need to understand, right?

Why are we talking about the hajj ecosystem? Because in Law No. 8 of 2009 concerning the Organization of Hajj and Umrah, the organization of this hajj is a privilege for Indonesian citizens who are Muslim. Currently, there are around 200 licensed umrah travel organizers. This means that this has become an ecosystem run by tens or even hundreds of thousands of people.

There must be a balance between BPH and BPKH as bodies that both handle hajj issues. In my opinion, the executive and legislative need to sit together to create or revise the law on hajj in order to anticipate rapid developments. The Saudi Hajj Ministry has been working since the last day of the 2024 hajj season ended, they have even distributed the hajj quota for the following year. Indonesia itself has received a quota of 211,000. Their preparations have been going on for a long time and have never stopped. The Saudi Arabian government's timeline is very clear, and we must immediately adjust, we must not stop.

What are the crucial issues in the hajj and umrah affairs so far?

In general, the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage that has just finished has gone well. The government has made many changes to help our hajj pilgrims. The level of public satisfaction is above 85%, meaning very satisfied. There were no major incidents that were noted in the implementation of the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

But the Indonesian House of Representatives created a hajj special committee?

The hajj special committee is another matter, it is part of the evaluation. I mean, compared to 2023, there was a case of pilgrims being stranded in Muzdalifah. This year is relatively safe and smooth. We appreciate everything, especially the enthusiasm to improve services to our hajj pilgrims.

The limited hajj quota has caused various problems; long waiting lists, misuse of hajj quotas, etc. How do we deal with this?

In the next six years, Saudi Arabia is targeting to increase the number of hajj pilgrims three times more than now. We must be prepared because the quota will also increase. We will send 500,000 to 600,000 hajj pilgrims per year. The current waiting list has reached 5.6 million pilgrims, with a waiting period of 15 to 40 years. Saudi has designed a waiting list of no more than 10 years. Therefore, we encourage the hajj affairs to be managed by the ministry itself, so that we can meet Saudi's expectations in organizing this hajj. Yesterday, with an additional quota of 20,000, it was enough to make a fuss, what if the addition is even bigger? This is what we must pay attention to.

We need to prepare so that we can go head-to-head with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. Because there are so many dimensions in hajj affairs, such as financial matters, endowment funds, and utilization of hajj funds, etc. So, Saudi's trust in providing additional quotas to us must be utilized properly. As a regulator, the government must carry out supervision so that the implementation of hajj continues to improve. We hope that the government will make hajj and umrah associations strategic partners to improve hajj services. So far, hajj travel associations have not been regulated in laws and other government regulations.

So where has the hajj and umrah travel association been referring to?

We are still considered like an NGO. We propose that the association be involved in supervision, so that the government can obtain official input from elements of society and involve the association in the hajj ecosystem.

The cost of hajj and umrah is still a concern, what efforts are being made to minimize it?

Saudi Arabia wants the hajj visa to be free. It was agreed that the hajj quota is one person per million. When purchasing power increases while the quota is limited, demand also increases. When there are other sources of quota besides the official one, furoda hajj appears which is very expensive. I am sure that with good diplomacy, Saudi will provide additional quotas. Like in the last hajj season, we got an additional 20,000 quotas for free from Saudi. What is important is governance and fair distribution. If our diplomacy is good, we can get additional quotas again. Efforts to make efficiency possible can also reduce the cost of hajj to a minimum.

The development of Indonesia City or village Indonesia in Saudi can indeed be an alternative to obtain additional funds. Indonesia City is a long-term investment that can be used as a place for pilgrims to stay as well as a means of promoting Indonesian commodities and a place to introduce Indonesian culture.

From the association, are there any efforts to minimize fraud under the guise of hajj and umrah services?

We are concerned that there are still discrepancies in the implementation of worship, especially umrah. Together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, we continue to encourage the implementation of umrah according to expectations. The most important thing is that hajj and umrah travel organizers must be licensed so that there is a guarantee for the congregation. Unofficial umrah and hajj organizers must be stopped. There needs to be standardization for hajj and umrah organizers; they must have good organizing capabilities and be able to anticipate if there are discrepancies.

For umrah departures, a maximum of only one transit is allowed. Why is transit still allowed? Because the ticket price is cheaper. However, the risk is if there is a delay from the initial departure post. When there is a delay, the congregation may not have time to catch the next plane because of the large number of umrah pilgrims. Organizers must maintain their reputation so that they continue to be trusted by the public. To check whether an umrah and hajj travel has a license, the public can check through the official website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Avoid unlicensed travel, because the risk of failing to depart is high.

Are other countries like Malaysia and Pakistan facing the same complex hajj and umrah issues as Indonesia? How do they solve these problems?

In Malaysia, there is a Tabung Haji institution that organizes the hajj, while the government only acts as a regulator. In Pakistan, people pay the full cost of the hajj without any government subsidies. Which one will be chosen, I think we choose the best. During the pandemic, the hajj and umrah travel association was one of the sectors that did not receive stimulus from the government. Each tried to survive, thank God we were able to survive. The situation will be different when the hajj affairs have become an ecosystem; the government must be there to help when there is turmoil.

What are your hopes for President Prabowo so that the hajj will be better in the future?

Thank you to the government for forming the BPH. We hope that the Ministry of Religion, BPH, BPKH, and Commission VIII in charge of hajj and umrah can embrace the hajj and umrah travel association, to sit together to regulate governance so that it runs well. Regulations and laws that are no longer relevant need to be updated. This needs to be included in the national legislation program (prolegnas) and become a priority. BPH also needs a legal basis so that in the future it will not be counterproductive to existing institutions.

As an association, we want to be regulated by law so that its status and function are clear. We also want to be involved in supervision so that the implementation of the hajj in the future will be better. We as actors can act more fairly. Hopefully this effort will be useful in building a better hajj ecosystem in the future.

Firman Muhammad Nur: There is Balance in Maghfirah Village

What is produced from the Maghfirah Travel business which is engaged in the field of hajj and umrah services, some of it is set aside for an educational institution called Maghfirah village. Through this line of education and preaching, according to H. Firman Muhammad Nur, MSc, it is hoped that it can be a balance for the business activities being carried out.

"We want to share some of the results of the business, the benefits of the business which are derived from the Kaaba and Allah SWT, to be returned for the benefit of the people. The way is through educational institutions and preaching cadres," said Firman who is now the General Chairperson of the Association of Muslim Organizers of the Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia (AMPHURI).

According to Firman, in 2016 Maghfirah village was established which is located in Caringin, Bogor. KH Ahmad Hatta, Lc., MA, PhD, one of the owners of Maghfirah Travel, established an educational institution with an integrated and integrated education concept from early childhood education (PAUD) to tertiary education.

"The first to be established was the Maghfirah Islamic Education College (STIPI). Because they needed a place to practice their knowledge, then the Milbos Islamic Leadership Boarding School (SMU) was established and then the Milbos Junior High School (SMP)," he said, adding that after that the Elementary School (SD) as well as PAUD and Al-Quran Kindergarten would also be established.

Relieve Longing

It is not without reason that the educational institution that stands on 40 hectares of land uses the term village. "Because we want to make Maghfirah village a place for people to relieve their longing for their hometown. The location is indeed in a village, on the slopes of Mount Pangrango which is cool and beautiful," said the man who was born in Palembang, February 23, 1972.

The name Maghfirah is not just a travel business entity that is carried out. More than that, Maghfirah or forgiveness from Allah is the goal of every Muslim in carrying out worship. "Every Muslim who wants to worship, especially to the holy lands of Mecca and Medina, certainly hopes for forgiveness from Allah SWT," explained Firman Muhammad Nur.

Students who study at STIPI Maghfirah receive a 100% scholarship. "All students who study receive a full scholarship. Furthermore, they will be educated to become teachers in Islamic schools in our environment and also in other institutions that need it," he said.

Husnul Khotimah Boarding School

In addition to STIPI, MA, and MTs that are already operating, there is also the Pesantren Husnul Khotimah program. "This is a one-week short pesantren program intended for those who want to prepare for a better afterlife. It turns out that this program is in great demand," said Firman.

When it was first opened, participants in the Pesantren Husnul Khotimah were those who had retired. "After participating in this program, they realized that this program should have been followed from the start of work. This program helps to strengthen the vision and mission in living life," he said.

Now, according to Firman, many young people are participating in the Pesantren Husnul Khotimah program. Several companies deliberately send manager-level employees to participate in this program. "The goal is for managers to have an afterlife perspective. With this perspective, they are expected to become active workers and their productivity has dimensions of the world and the afterlife," he explained.

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Maghfirah Village for pilgrims who have performed the Hajj or Umrah through Maghfirah travel is expected to be a "zamzam," which is a continuous good deed. "This Maghfirah Village is also expected to be like Zamzam, to be a continuous goodness. We teach prospective educators who will develop and spread knowledge," said Firman Muhammad Nur.

"Since becoming Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman al Saud has not only relied on the oil and gas sector, but has also optimized other sectors for sources of state revenue. They have a vision for 2030, one of which is targeting state revenue from the Hajj and Umrah. In the next six years, their target is for the number of Hajj pilgrims to increase threefold from now (1.5 -1.8 million). This is an extraordinary ambition and we must respond. And their Umrah target is 30 million per year, now there are only 15 million Umrah pilgrims per year,"