Exclusive, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mochamad Irfan Yusuf Explains the Impact of Global Tensions on the Hajj
The implementation of the 2026 hajj has been completed. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mochamad Irfan Yusuf or Gus Irfan was worried about the geopolitical conditions in the Middle East ahead of the hot hajj season. However, after all the 2026 hajj series and all the pilgrims returned home, he also bowed down in gratitude for the completion of this heavy duty.
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The implementation of the 2026 hajj is a big challenge for Gus Irfandan and all the ranks involved. Heavy because of internal and external factors at once. Internal factors because they must direct all ranks of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the first time to carry out the hajj independently.
External factors are no less formidable. Ahead of the Hajj season, the United States and Israel suddenly attacked Iran. The Middle East region is also heating up because of the devastating war. Several scenarios are prepared to face this complicated situation. From pilgrims who fail to depart, depart in part, to the diversion of flight routes.
"Alhamdulillah the implementation of the 2026 hajj is finally complete. We can be a little relieved because the task from President Prabowo has been carried out," he said.
According to Gus Irfan, this is the hard work of all levels of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and all parties who have participated in helping to make the 2026 hajj successful. He thanked all those who were involved.
Furthermore, he and his team have prepared the implementation of the 2027 hajj. "Just take a moment's rest, then we have continued the preparations for next year's hajj. Hajj is once a year, but the preparations are throughout the year," he told Edy Suherli and Moch Prayoga Adi Pradana from VOI who visited the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Jakarta, July 16, 2026.
The implementation of the 2026 hajj has been completed, the first night after all the last batch of pilgrims landed in the country, what did Gus Irfan do first? Can you sleep soundly?
On July 1, 2026, I was at the Surabaya Hajj Dormitory welcoming the last batch of Surabaya pilgrims. At that time I was interviewing the media. Then my staff gave me a written paper: the Ujung Pandang batch pilgrims have landed. To this day I still remember that moment. I then invited the reporters to prostrate in gratitude. Back at the hotel, I shaved my beard which I had not taken care of for 2 months. I had not shaved my beard for 2 months.
"Thank God, I could sleep better at night. But what do I do tomorrow morning? Coordination meeting with the Kediri Regency Government, the East Java Provincial Government, the Kediri Airport manager, and several related stakeholders to prepare Kediri Airport as an Embarkation Airport 2027.
"It means there is no long break, right?
Nothing, even though people say the hajj is only once a year, but the preparation is throughout the year. That's what I did yesterday after the last batch arrived.
Why does East Java need additional embarkation?
Because first, the number of congregants is many. Second, Juanda Airport is already quite crowded, so it is worth adding.
Moreover, what makes the implementation of the 2026 hajj so emotional for Gus Irfan?
There are several things that make me emotional. First, when the night of 7 and 8 Zulhijah, it should be 8 o'clock that the congregation gets ready-to-eat food. Why? Because if the food is fresh, we are worried that the journey will be hampered because many roads are closed. But that night we got information, the vendor was not ready. We then met until 12 o'clock at night. The decision: send fresh meals. Bismillah, that night we also sent our team to all the kitchens to wait for them. We want to make sure that the kitchen is cooking for the breakfast schedule.
It also happens that tomorrow morning there is a coordination meeting with the DPR RI supervisory team. In the morning, I called several teams. Thank God, all the dishes arrived at the hotel at 7. That is an extraordinary thing and we are very grateful. That what we thought was impossible, it turned out to be possible. Thank God, with God's power it can happen.
That's the first. The second, before departure to Arafah. From the beginning I had told the Director General of Hajj Services, I had to be the last person to leave Makkah to Arafah. Therefore, on the night of 9 Zulhijah I checked everything. That night it seemed that all of them had been reported to have left. But at 6 am on 9 Zulhijah, I checked that there was one hotel that had not left.
What is the cause?
Then I came, I called all those involved. I made sure and waited until they all left. Maybe there was a miscommunication between our team and the sharikah who was in charge of transporting it. Finally at 7 they all left. Only I and Amirul Haj's entourage left. Those are two things that are very memorable for me.
Did you communicate with the congregation who delayed departure to Arafah?
Oh yes, of course I also apologize for this mistake.
The peak of the hajj is in Padang Arafah, what is the most crowded in the 2026 hajj?
Arafah is relatively safe because it is quite large, about 9 square kilometers. It is crowded in Mina. The width is different so that the tent must be arranged in such a way that it can accommodate all pilgrims from around the world. And that is also a problem. I admit that Mina is still not satisfactory for us. Therefore, we also talked yesterday with the team about how to handle Mina for next year.
"There is indeed a proposal for a multi-tiered tent. We have asked the ministry team to explore, because it is also related to the price. We want to reduce the density in Mina. In 2026, we will accommodate about 20,000 people. This means that they are not in Mina, they are staying in hotels near Jamarat.
How did Saudi Arabia respond to the proposal for a two-story tent?
That's all the domain of the Saudi government and the syarikah parties who work together. I think it's okay, they have also built a fairly large apartment there. Around 10 or 20 floors. I think the two-story tent will not be a problem.
"The project will be realized next year or in what year?
"We are still talking about this possibility, including related to prices. Because we know this year we are also confused with price calculations. Moreover, now the war has broken out, so this will also have an impact on the price of jet fuel, the price of basic goods, including the exchange rate of the currency.
"Yesterday, there was a dispute in Arafah about the congregation occupying a tent that was not its place, can you give an explanation about this?"
Two days before wukuf in Arafah, our team checked all the tents. First, to ensure that the tents provided by the syarikah are in accordance with the contract. Second, whether the position or condition is indeed worthy. We found there were several tents that had been given names by KBIH. We asked that they be revoked, replaced with a sign from us, the Ministry of Hajj. We said that there was this name, this batch from which region. We also put the names there. So no one else can claim. We have arranged everything according to what we have prepared from the beginning. That was what went viral as well. But it was all in order to ensure that our pilgrims must indeed get their rights.
"If we look at the death rate from year to year, what is the secret, Gus?
"It is indeed decreasing, but the number for us is still not ideal. Why can it decrease? Yesterday we already had a health standard. Some areas have implemented it well. But there are also some areas that are a little weak. This is proven when they will depart, at the embarkation there is a re-examination. It turns out that there are 345 people who we did not embark even though they had arrived at the embarkation. Because their health does not allow it.
"If it is forced, it is dangerous, right, Gus?
Maybe if it is forced, the number (death toll) may be more than last year. That is beyond fate, yes. But this is just a calculation.
On the one hand, there are many of our congregations who have been queuing for 20 years or 21 years. But with this strict istitha'ah requirement, it is more difficult to leave, what is the middle way?
This may be a dilemma or can be said to be a wisdom. The wisdom is that we convey it to our congregation, our prospective congregation: please take care of your health from the beginning. So that if you leave at the right time, there is no problem. If you leave it for a long time, there is no harm in taking care of your health. Both with a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and including some things that may have been considered normal but in fact it has a very big impact on health. Such as smoking, staying up late, it is very, very influential on health. I think that the Indonesian nation can maintain a healthy lifestyle, how beautiful it would be.
Regarding flights, delays are still a record. How can the ministry set or make stricter rules for airlines?
"The delay that occurred this year was partly at the beginning of the return. Because at that time there was a scramble between various countries to be able to get a flight slot. But after a week, once there was a delay we scolded, we called the airline directly. Then a week later it started to be normal. And thank God after that the accuracy of the bench is still above 90 percent. That is, no one has to delay until they stay overnight. The reason is that if they are delayed, their mood will change. They want to go home quickly, meet their families.
When departure, some were forced to make an emergency landing in Medan, then stay there. That's the departure, we've already reprimanded the airline. Thank God everything can be resolved well. And we have a record for the two airlines that serve Hajj next year to be better.
Is it still possible to add other airlines?
For pilgrims who are 100 thousand and above, they must be divided into two between Saudi Arabian and Indonesian airlines. And Indonesia, we are bringing Garuda Indonesia. A few years ago there was a private airline that participated.
Regarding the cost of going on the Hajj or the Hajj Travel Cost (BPIH), now with various uncertain global conditions, it is likely to rise. What is the strategy so that it does not burden the congregation?
"We have submitted the BPIH to the DPR. And the BPIH is indeed bigger than last year. And I also don't know if this, with the escalation of the war, still counts for us. The President's hope and request is that this situation should not burden the congregation. Therefore, we also propose to the DPR that the distribution of the BPIH be financed by 60 percent of the benefits from the Hajj fund managed by BPKH, and the congregation pays 40 percent. And this has already happened during COVID-19. The situation was also not normal at that time. The congregation only paid 40 percent, the benefits were paid 60 percent.
So the condition is quite heavy, but it will be tried to make the composition 60-40. Of course the amount to be paid by the congregation is almost the same as in 2026. So later we will go to the DPR to form a panja team to discuss this matter. We will discuss to ensure the numbers that we must agree on.
Another thing that is still being discussed is the waiting list, how to shorten the waiting list?
Of course, the waiting list is essentially dependent on how many quotas we get. The more we get, the shorter the waiting list will be. Last year we started implementing the distribution of quotas nationally through this waiting list data. So that later on evenly, not this year, not next year, it will eventually be 26.4 years. Those who leave this year train for about 14 to 16 years.
The Saudi government has the Saudi Vision 2030. One of them is that the hajj pilgrims are targeted to be 5 million. Now it's only 1.7 million. This means that there are still many opportunities, the waiting list can be reduced. But if the number of pilgrims triples, this is also a tremendous PR for us. How do we have to prepare everything for this increasing number.
If, for example, it is tightened, the rule is one Hajj for life, can it be?
Law Number 8 states that 10 years after the hajj, they can only register again. This latest law was changed again to 18 years. This means it is almost the same as saying that those who have already performed the hajj do not have to register again. But we can't forbid people's desire to perform the hajj. Maybe it can be channeled with umrah.
What are the inputs for improvement next year from our Hajj officers?
In general, they have worked well. Our officers are two. There are PPIH officers - there are officers that we have prepared for one month, and this is what many have appreciated. Then there are kloter officers - kloter officers prepared in the region, and this is indeed not the same time, less than 10 days. So on some occasions there are some regional officers who may not be ready. That is our note, that next year the regional Hajj officers must be prepared the same as PPIH. So that they get training and have the same qualifications. I plant that this is a service task.
"And thank God, there we know how these Hajj officers are extraordinary. They are very dedicated and thank God, the congregation is also very happy and appreciates them.
In general, from the preparation, implementation, and evaluation, what is it that needs to be maintained for next year?
"Integrity must be, and dedication. Miscommunication between officers still exists. Then sometimes sectoral ego is still there, and that is also one of our PR to improve. For example, the accommodation officer, the accommodation task is completed, while the other tasks are still being done because they think the accommodation task is completed. Things like that are still there sometimes.
What is the message to the prospective pilgrims who will depart in the following years?
"Intending to perform the hajj, which is evidenced by paying the registration fee. And after that, consider that tomorrow you are ready to leave. For that, prepare yourself, prepare how to perform the rituals, and also prepare the rituals about his health. We assume that tomorrow we will leave, they must be ready today. Today you can do things related to health. If you still have health problems, fix it. Because we assume that tomorrow we will leave, so whenever we leave, we will be ready.
What is the message to the congregation who have completed the hajj this year?
"I always convey to the new congregation: we pray that you all become a mabrur haji. One of the signs of a mabrur haji is that the better the worship, the better the social life, the better the relationship with the community. The community relationship is good, then the social empathy is better.
And then if I link it to the three successes of the Ministry of Hajj, that is the third reason: the success of civilization and civilization. This we are an example of our predecessors. They studied there, returned from Hajj as heroes of the independence struggle. Now that we are independent, how do we fill this independence well.
President Prabowo's Zero Tolerance: The First Test of the Hajj MinistryBehind the noise of the political policy of the headquarters and the grandeur of the skyscrapers of Jakarta, there is a rhythm of life that is greatly missed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mochamad Irfan Yusuf alias Gus Irfan.
In the past, his life was a reflection of what today is often referred to as slow living. In his homeland, Jombang, East Java, time revolved with peace and certainty. At nine or ten at night he had rested, then woke up at the last third of the night - at three in the morning - to pray the night prayer and wake up the students.
After praying the Subuh prayer in congregation and listening to the recitation of the holy verses by the students, Gus Irfan usually steps along the rice fields left by his parents. Breathing the clean morning air, greeting neighbors, taking care of a small shop, or just riding a bicycle leisurely around the village. For Gus Irfan, the true enjoyment of life is complete there.
However, fate often calls someone out of their comfort zone to take on a much bigger responsibility.
Amanah and the Dream of a Million PeopleHis life journey changed drastically when he was called to the capital. From being part of the campaign team to being inaugurated as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, his previously orderly pattern of life at the boarding school began to turn upside down. His favorite bicycle was even taken directly from Jombang to his residence in the Menteng area, Jakarta.
"But it seems that the gowes in Jakarta is very challenging. You have to sneak between cars. I don't dare," he said with a small smile.
However, the test of Jakarta's traffic challenges is nothing compared to the call he received shortly after two weeks in parliament.
Gus Irfan and his deputy, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, were summoned to meet President Prabowo Subianto. In front of them, the President conveyed a deep anxiety as well as a big dream.
"The Indonesian people are mostly Muslims. And the main goal of Muslims is to perform the hajj pilgrimage. Therefore, I want to provide the best service to Indonesian pilgrims."
From that direction, the big idea of forming a body that now stands independently as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah was born. When officially inaugurated to lead the new ministry, President Prabowo emphasized one main principle that cannot be bargained: Zero Tolerance. There must be no room for corruption, abuse of power, or any kind of abuse. The people's holy worship must not be tainted by bad prejudices.
"Zero Error" in the Middle of a Geopolitical StormBuilding a ministry from scratch is not easy. Pessimistic attitudes from various parties emerged: Can this new institution take care of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims?
But for Gus Irfan and his deputy - a son of Medan who is straightforward and firm - public doubts are fuel. The combination of polite leadership with a pesantren background and the typical assertiveness of Sumatra makes this team move quickly.
The toughest test came unexpectedly. In the midst of intensive preparations ahead of the Hajj season, the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East peaked during Ramadan. War broke out.
In the midst of the chaos, Gus Irfan approached the President after the Nuzululquran commemoration at the State Palace. In that crucial moment, President Prabowo gave very firm directions:
"Whatever happens later related to our congregation, the main consideration is their security and safety. All decisions of the Minister must be based on these two things."
The grip forced the Hajj Ministry team to prepare various extreme scenarios: from changing flight routes, gradual departure, to the bitter scenario of not being sent out. The most haunting scenario is the possibility of an emergency evacuation for more than 200 thousand pilgrims in the midst of war chaos.
"Honestly, that's what makes us not able to sleep," said Gus Irfan.
Every night is filled with non-stop marathon coordination - contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to building intensive communication with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to ensure the safety of the last stronghold of Indonesian pilgrims.
Sunyi's Sacrifice Behind the ScreenBehind the dedication and hard work in taking care of hundreds of thousands of Indonesian pilgrims, there is a domestic price that Gus Irfan has to pay dearly.
He had to be willing to live at a distance from his family. His youngest daughter was reluctant to move to Jakarta because she was already comfortable with school and her friends in East Java. Meanwhile, his wife had to divide her time between taking care of her children and taking care of 100 female students at their boarding school in Jombang.
"Once or twice a month my wife goes to Jakarta, or I try to find time to come home, even though it's hard to find time," he said softly. There was a slight silence when he expressed his longing for the warmth of home.
"Of course, I feel that something is missing because I can't see my family all the time. But thank God, communication is still going well."
Now, the ripples of public doubt are slowly eroded by the evidence of real work. From the tranquility of the rice fields in Jombang to the high-pressure meeting rooms in Jakarta and Mecca, Gus Irfan proves that leadership rooted in the sincerity of the pesantren is able to answer even the most complicated challenges.
For Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and his team, this trust is not just a bureaucratic task, but a spiritual service. Because behind every passport, every piece of ihram cloth, and every breath of Indonesian pilgrims, there are prayers of millions of people who are entrusted to their shoulders - hope that the holy journey is safe, safe, and mabrur.
"President Prabowo emphasized one main principle that cannot be negotiated: Zero Tolerance. There must be no room for corruption, abuse of power, or any kind of abuse. The sacred worship of the people must not be tainted by bad prejudices,"
Mochamad Irfan Yusuf