Wamenhaj: Not All Participants in Training Automatically Pass as Hajj Officials

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Hajj (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak conveyed that not all participants who attended the education and training of Hajj Service Officers (PPIH) in 2026 automatically passed as officers.

Ahead of the closing of the training center, at least six participants were declared to be eliminated and sent home due to various factors, ranging from health problems to indiscipline.

The Minister of Hajj emphasized that the selection process was very objective without discrimination. Health factors were one of the main causes of the participants' deaths. Based on the results of the re-health examination, it was found that participants had a high risk if they were deployed.

"Some of the results of the MCU showed heart disease, even some had to be fitted with rings. We can't take the risk by sending them away. The doctor's recommendation states that it is not feasible, so with great reluctance it must be removed," said Wamenhaj on the sidelines of monitoring the preparation of the closing of the training center at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, Jakarta, Thursday, 29 January, reported by ANTARA.

The Minister of Hajj also warned that the prospective Hajj officers should not have the "nebeng" mentality of free Hajj. According to him, the main task of PPIH is to serve pilgrims, while the opportunity to perform Hajj is only a bonus from Allah SWT.

"Don't let the intention be to go on a pilgrimage through the officer's path. Straighten out the intention to be a servant of God's guests. The pilgrimage is just a bonus. If the mentality is only to want a free pilgrimage, it will usually be seen from discipline during training," said Wamenhaj.

The Minister of Religious Affairs ensured that the participants who would attend the closing ceremony with President Prabowo Subianto tomorrow were those who were declared to have passed purely by the instructor team.

For those who have not succeeded this year, he advised to prepare themselves better, both physically and compliance with the rules, to try again next year.

"Tomorrow those who participate in the closure are those who graduate. We hope that all friends here will graduate, but remember, Hajj is a call from Allah. God's strength is at play here. If you are not called this year, try again next year with more mature preparation," said Wamenhaj.