Starting 2026, BP Haji Becomes A Ministry Level Institution

Illustration of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is taking major steps towards reforming the implementation of national Hajj. Starting in 2026, the Hajj Organizing Body (BP) will become a ministry-level institution that is fully tasked with managing the pilgrimage.

BP Haji Expert Ichsan Marsha said the change was part of President Prabowo Subianto's big vision in providing more focused, professional, and world-class Hajj services.

"The President has formed a Hajj Organizing Body as a ministry-level agency that will fully implement the Hajj in 2026," said Ichsan.

Ichsan explained that the idea of establishing a special Hajj institution had actually been initiated for a long time, even during the 2014'2019 period.

At that time, there was a discourse on the formation of the Ministry of Hajj and Waqf which functions as a focal institution in Hajj services.

"Since 2014-2019, the President has aspired to establish a ministry that focuses on providing the best service in organizing Hajj," he added.

Now, this idea is realized through strengthening the institutions of BP Haji, which in the future will have the same status as the ministry.

The transition process to BP Haji as a ministry-level institution is ongoing. One of them is through harmonization of regulations and revision of laws that are the legal basis for the establishment of these institutions.

This regulation is being discussed at the Ministry of Law (Kemenkum) as part of a national legal scheme.

At the same time, Commission VIII of the DPR has also given a signal of support for this plan.

They encourage the implementation of the 2026 Hajj to be more efficient, structured, and without overlapping authority between the Ministry of Religion and BP Hajj.

Responding to the expectations of the DPR and the public, Ichsan Marsha ensured that BP Haji was ready to carry out his new role.

In fact, at the 2025 Hajj event, BP Haji has begun to be actively involved even though he does not yet have full authority.

"Talk about readiness, God willing, BP Haji is ready. This is a tangible form of readiness for better Hajj in the future," he said.

If the entire legislative process runs smoothly, then starting from the 2026 Hajj season, Indonesia will have one single authority for organizing the pilgrimage. With the same status as the ministry, BP Haji will take over all the powers that have been under the Ministry of Religion.