JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked that services for the elderly pilgrims (elderly) in organizing the 2025 Hajj be further improved. Approximately 21,930 or almost 22 percent of them are elderly pilgrims.
He appealed to the Government to ensure that the protection of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities is optimized in the midst of the complexity of the Hajj implementation system.
"We all know that services for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities in the implementation of the Hajj are a challenge in itself. We hope that the Government will ensure maximum service for the elderly and disabled pilgrims," said Puan, Monday, May 19.
Based on data from the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), as many as 101,678 Indonesian pilgrims have arrived in the Holy Land. Approximately 21,930 or almost 22 percent of them are elderly pilgrims.
Puan also reminded the Hajj officers to ensure the safety and comfort of the elderly pilgrims in carrying out their worship in the holy land.
"The elderly pilgrims are quite large, so we must ensure that all their needs are served properly. They have been waiting in line for decades to be able to perform the holy service," said Puan.
To note, many elderly Indonesian pilgrims depend on wheelchairs or walking aids. The Saudi Arabia Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) has prepared an inclusive prayer bus fleet that is friendly for the elderly and people with disabilities.
A total of 32 buses have also been prepared to serve the movement of pilgrims with special needs from the hotel to the Grand Mosque. All buses are equipped with sloping stairs, wheelchair rooms, and additional safety facilities.
According to Puan, ensuring good service for all pilgrims, including the elderly group, has become the task of organizing the pilgrimage. The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also encouraged PPIH to prepare Hajj officers with special training for the care of the elderly.
Puan also asked the Ministry of Religion to cooperate with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health to realize inclusive Hajj services for vulnerable groups.
"All relevant ministries must ensure that the Hajj services are well organized, including for the elderly and people with disabilities," he said.
Furthermore, Puan encouraged the government to establish intensive communication with the Saudi Arabian authorities so that public infrastructure in Mecca and Medina would become more friendly to the elderly and people with disabilities in order to facilitate Indonesian pilgrims.
"The state must ensure that the rights for the elderly can be fulfilled and facility services during the Hajj season are friendly for the elderly and other vulnerable groups," said Puan.
SEE ALSO:
According to Puan, the success of organizing the hajj should not only be measured by the smooth departure or quota, but also from what extent the protection of the state is in ensuring the comfort of all pilgrims, especially for those who are most vulnerable.
"Successive Hajj is a pilgrimage that allows every congregation to worship in peace, security, and dignity," he concluded.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
