Regular Pilgrims Now Stay in Five-Star Hotels Near the Prophet's Mosque

Deputy Speaker of the DPR and Chairman of the DPR Hajj Supervisory Team, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal. (IST)

BOGOR - One of the changes that has received the most attention in the implementation of the 2026 hajj is the improvement in the quality of accommodation for regular Indonesian pilgrims.

Deputy Speaker of the DPR and Chairman of the DPR Hajj Supervisory Team, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, revealed that around 17 thousand regular pilgrims this year stayed in the area around the Prophet's Mosque, Medina, including in star-rated hotels.

According to Cucun, the facilities that have been synonymous with special hajj pilgrims are now beginning to be felt by regular pilgrims.

"Regular pilgrims are now almost 17 thousand people staying in zone one around the Prophet's Mosque and can stay in five-star hotels," Cucun told reporters after meeting President Prabowo at Hambalang, Bogor, Wednesday (17/6).

He admitted that he received many positive testimonials from the congregation who did not expect to be able to obtain accommodation facilities with a location close to the mosque and better service quality.

Changes also occurred in consumption services. The food menu is said to be more diverse than in previous years and has begun to be adjusted to the tastes of Indonesian pilgrims.

According to Cucun, the rice used has also been adjusted so that it is more suitable for Indonesian people's eating habits.

The improvement in services is one of the points reported to the President in the evaluation of this year's haj.

However, the DPR and the Ministry of Hajj admitted that there were still a number of notes that needed to be improved for next year's implementation. The President asked that various breakthroughs that had been carried out be maintained, while the shortcomings that still emerged must be immediately corrected.