Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Apologizes for Hajj Inconveniences

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar conveyed an apology to Indonesian hajj pilgrims for various inconveniences during the pilgrimage, starting from departure to the Arafah, Mudzalifah, and Mina phases.

"As the Amirulhaj and Minister of Religious Affairs, I convey my apology," Minister Nasaruddin Umar said in Mecca on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

The peak phase of the pilgrimage in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina has been completed. The Minister stated that this phase generally went well, although there are notes for improvement due to incidents causing discomfort for the pilgrims.

The Minister explained that some hajj participants experienced problems during the arrival phase and the peak of the pilgrimage in Armuzna. For example, there were cases of spouses or elderly parents and their children, or the elderly and their companions being separated in the hotel in Mecca.

There were also pilgrims who faced difficulties in tent placements in Arafah. Furthermore, there were delays in pickup in Muzdalifah due to congestion, with the evacuation process only completed at 09:40 Saudi Arabian time (or 40 minutes behind the targeted finish time of 09:00).

"This congestion and delay in the evacuation process in Muzdalifah were not only experienced by Indonesian hajj pilgrims, but also by other countries using the same taraddudi route," the Minister said.

Despite several difficulties, the Minister agreed with the explanation given by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Taufiq Al Rabiah, and the Vice Governor of Mecca and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, Prince Saud bin Mish'al, that this year's pilgrimage was better organized.

This condition is supported by several improvements in infrastructure facilities, water availability, and health facilities.

"Alhamdulillah, the death toll up to now is also lower. Hopefully, this condition will continue until all hajj pilgrims return to their respective countries," he said.

The operational phase of the 1446 Hijriah/2025 hajj is currently in the repatriation stage to the homeland. The repatriation process for the first wave of hajj pilgrims will take place from June 11 to 25, 2025.

There are 266 flight groups (kloter) that departed in the first wave and landed in Medina. They will be repatriated through King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah.

"Today, I am seeing off the departure of the first wave hajj pilgrims from embarkation 01 Makassar or UPG 01 from their hotel in the Syisah area to Medina. Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims are in good health and happy to have completed all stages of their pilgrimage," the Minister said.

Starting from June 18, 2025, Indonesian hajj pilgrims departing in the second wave will move from Mecca to Medina. They will stay for approximately nine days in the City of the Prophet before returning to the homeland.

The repatriation process for the second wave of hajj pilgrims from Medina will take place from June 26 to July 10, 2025. "To all pilgrims, I advise you to continue to maintain your health and prosperity. Zamzam water will be provided at the embarkation," he said.

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