JAKARTA - Minister of Hajj and Umrah Moch. Irfan Yusuf or Gus Irfan departed for Saudi Arabia to lead the Amirulhaj 1447 H/2026 M mission, Tuesday (19/5). The government said that direct supervision was strengthened ahead of the peak phase of the hajj.
Gus Irfan departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, to Jeddah using Garuda Indonesia GA-980 at 11.45 WIB.
"Amirulhaj's departure is part of the government's commitment to ensure that all services for pilgrims run well, especially ahead of the peak phase of the hajj," said Gus Irfan.
He said the government's focus was on the safety, comfort, and concentration of Indonesian pilgrims in the Holy Land.
According to Gus Irfan, so far 92.7 percent of Indonesian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia. The government, he said, continues to monitor accommodation, consumption, transportation, health, worship guidance, and protection services for pilgrims.
"Officers are present to accompany the congregation at every service point," he said.
However, Gus Irfan also revealed that there were 345 pilgrims who failed to be sent because they did not meet the health istithaah requirements while at the embarkation.
Health readiness is the physical and health ability of the pilgrims to carry out the heavy series of Hajj rituals safely.
"This year there are 345 pilgrims who failed to leave because they did not istithaah at embarkation," said Gus Irfan.
He asked prospective pilgrims next year to prepare their health conditions from a long time ago. According to him, Hajj is not only a spiritual journey, but also a physical worship that requires body readiness.
"The government does not want pilgrims to force themselves into risky conditions. Hajj is a physical worship," he said.
While in Saudi Arabia, Amirulhaj will coordinate with various parties, review the facilities of the congregation, give directions to officers, conduct training, lead coordination meetings, and lead the wukuf sermon.
Gus Irfan also expressed his appreciation to Indonesian Hajj officers who worked from the departure phase to the arrival of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
"This task is not easy, but every effort of the officers is part of the state's service to God's guests," said Irfan.
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