Hajj Officers Asked to Straighten Their Intentions: Serving the Pilgrims, Not Going on Hajj

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak again reminded that the main task of Hajj officers is to serve pilgrims, not to use the role to participate in "nebeng" performing the hajj.

"We want to ensure that the intention of the haji officers is to be haji officers, not people who are not going to go on the haj. Because they have been trained for a long time as a team," said Dahnil during the inauguration of haji officers at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, Jakarta, Antara, Friday, January 30.

The Saudi Arabian Hajj Organizing Officers (PPIH) are known to have undergone

education and training for 20 days directly at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory.

After that, they will still follow online further education and training for 10 days.

Dahnil explained that the background of the Hajj officers this year is very diverse, ranging from medical personnel, security personnel, journalists, to academics and professors. However, all officers must be in the same identity, namely as servants of the pilgrims.

He emphasized that every officer must remove personal and professional identities attached to him during his duty. There is no special treatment, all officers are treated equally in carrying out the mandate to serve God's guests.

"Well, with this pattern, we hope to answer the public criticism so far, so that there will no longer be the impression that there are people who are not going to go on the hajj," said Dahnil.

According to him, the semi-military education implemented during the training period was not without reason. The pattern was designed to build cohesiveness, discipline, and a clear command system so that tasks in the Holy Land could run more effectively.

"Don't let the officers position themselves as pilgrims. Because in previous experience, there are Hajj officers who actually ask to be served," said Dahnil.

Previously, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochammad Irfan Yusuf, emphasized that being a haji officer is a great trust from the state. This task is not only related to the smoothness of worship, but also concerns the honor of the nation, the trust of the people, and Indonesia's prestige in the eyes of the world.

"Every year Indonesia sends the largest number of pilgrims in the world. Therefore, orderly governance and reliable officer quality are the keys to realizing the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage that we hope for," said Irfan.

According to him, the face of the country is not only reflected in the work that has been completed, but also in the attitude, firmness, and sensitivity of officers in serving pilgrims.