Stopped by Saudi Arabia, the DPR urges the public not to be tempted by the Furoda Hajj offer

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives An'im Falachuddin asked the public not to be tempted by the offer to depart for the hajj using a furoda visa this year.

The appeal was made by An'im in response to the decision of the Saudi Arabian Government not to issue a furoda Hajj visa in 2026 for prospective pilgrims from around the world.

"The decision of the Government of Saudi Arabia not to issue a furoda Hajj visa must be respected. We appeal to the public not to be easily tempted by invitations or offers to go on Hajj this year using a furoda visa," An'im told reporters, Monday, April 13.

The politician, who is often called Kiai An'im, explained that so far the furoda hajj visa has often been the choice of some people because it allows them to go on the hajj without having to wait in long queues. In Indonesia, he said, the waiting period for regular hajj can even reach decades, so the furoda scheme is often considered a shortcut.

However, he emphasized that this year's conditions are different. With the non-issuance of the furoda hajj visa by the Saudi Arabian Government, all offers of departure for hajj using this route should be suspected.

"It is true that the long queue for Hajj makes people look for alternatives such as furoda. But for this year, when the visa is not issued, then every offer of furoda Hajj must be wary. Don't let people be deceived by the lure of instant Hajj departure," he said.

The PKB legislator from the East Java District also emphasized that the Saudi Arabian Government only issued official Hajj visas for the implementation of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Indonesia itself sends pilgrims through the regular Hajj and special Hajj routes, all of which use official visas from the Saudi Arabian authorities.

Furthermore, Kiai An'im asked the government, especially the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, to intensify socialization regarding the absence of a furoda Hajj visa this year. This step is considered important so that the public does not become a victim of fraud.

"Socialization must be strengthened so that the public really understands that there is no furoda pilgrimage this year," said An'im.

"In addition, the government must also be firm in sanctioning parties who still offer haj departures using furoda visas this year, because it is clearly misleading and potentially detrimental to the community. We ask all haj pilgrims to be careful of all kinds of fraud," he concluded.