Indonesia dispatches 342 Hajj officers in first batch

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday sent off an inaugural batch of Hajj officers, comprising 342 individuals tasked with catering to the needs of Indonesian citizens joining this year’s pilgrimage.

Director General of Hajj and Umrah of the ministry Hilman Latief explained that these officers would welcome pilgrims at airports and hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Medina.

“They are tasked with preparing the necessary infrastructure and ensuring everything is set up. Upon arrival at airports, Hajj pilgrims will be greeted by our officers, who will then guide them to their hotels,” he remarked at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta.

Latief affirmed that the ministry had also dispatched a special team several days earlier to conduct preliminary coordination on the readiness of essential services, including accommodation, transportation, and food supplies.

Regarding pilgrim departures, the official pointed out that up to 20 flight groups are expected to land in Saudi Arabia daily. The first batch of pilgrims will enter the country via Medina and stay for 8-9 days.

“The pilgrims will thereafter head to Mecca in the second week. For this reason, our plans include stationing officers in that city,” he stated.

Quoting a message from Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, Latief emphasized the importance of all Hajj officers providing the finest services to pilgrims.

"Mr. Minister expects top-notch services and performances from the officers who have undergone intensive training for days. He has expressed hope that we can mitigate all potential issues and handle any problems that arise on the ground," he remarked.

The number of Indonesian Hajj officers for the 2025 Hajj season is set at 4,420, following an additional quota of 2,210 Hajj officers granted by the Saudi Arabian government.