Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) discussed the progress of the planned Hajj village in Mecca during a phone call on December 10, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said.
Wijaya said Prabowo called MBS, who also serves as Saudi Arabia’s prime minister, while the President was visiting Moscow, Russia. The discussion covered "the location, the construction process, and the facilities to be prepared for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims."
The Saudi Press Agency also reported the phone conversation, saying, "During the call, the two leaders discussed ways to support cooperation between the two countries."
Wijaya added that MBS expressed his condolences to Prabowo and Indonesians affected by the recent flash floods and landslides in Sumatra. MBS was quoted as saying, "Indonesia is a great country, and its leader is a strong President who can face any situation."
Saudi Arabia has reportedly welcomed and supported Prabowo's plan for the Hajj Village.
Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara is currently participating in an auction for land allocated for the project. Danantara CEO Rosan Perkasa Roeslani said on December 2 that the targeted land is in Eastern Hindawiyah.
He said Danantara is among the top three bidders, with the winner to be announced in mid-December 2025.
"Hopefully, the hope of establishing this Hajj village will come true, and we can build it," he added.
