Jeddah - The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a hajj agreement (MoU) for the 1446 H / 2025 AD hajj season. The agreement was signed by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah, in Jeddah.
“Alhamdulillah, today we have just signed a Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia. There are several things that we agree on, one of which is the number of Indonesian pilgrims who will depart during the operational period of Hajj 1446 H/2025 M as many as 221 thousand people,” said Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar in Jeddah, Sunday (12/1/2025).
Also attending the signing process were Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives Marwan Dasopang, Head of the Hajj Organizing Board (BP Haji) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, Deputy BP Haji Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Head of the Hajj Financial Management Agency Fadlul Imansyah, Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Hilman Latief, Director of Foreign Hajj Services Muchlis M Hanafi, and Hajj Consul at the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah Nasrullah Jasam.
The Minister explained that the departure and return of 221,000 pilgrims will be divided into two airports in Saudi Arabia. “As many as 110,500 pilgrims will arrive through Amir Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Medina and return through King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah,” the Minister said.
“Meanwhile, the other half will come through King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah and return through Amir Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah,” he continued.
The Minister expressed hope that with the signing of the MoU, preparations for the Hajj can be finalized immediately. “I ask all parties involved in the preparation to exert all their energy and thoughts to make the Hajj 1446 H/2025 M a success,” the Minister said.
Indonesia currently has an officer quota of 2,210 or 1% of the pilgrimage quota. Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar continues to lobby Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F Al Rabiah so that Indonesia can get an additional quota of officers.
“We continue to strive to get an additional quota of officers so that the number is more adequate to provide maximum service to Indonesian pilgrims,” he said.
One clause of the MoU states that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has the right to reduce or increase the percentage of officers as needed. It will be updated after the completion of the service contract stage according to a predetermined schedule.
The MoU between the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and the Saudi Minister of Hajj also regulates security issues. All hajj pilgrims are asked to obey and comply with the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including related to movement during the peak of Hajj in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Pilgrims are also asked not to carry out propaganda activities and raise their voices in public places. Instead, pilgrims are asked to respect and maintain the sanctity of the Two Holy Lands.
Another rule concerns the use of photographic devices, including cell phones, so as not to disturb public security and order. Other prohibitions include: raising the flag of a particular country, publishing political and party slogans, or politicizing the Hajj season.“We have also agreed on several security rules applied during the movement of pilgrims. In principle, the Indonesian government is ready to cooperate with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the security and comfort of the pilgrims while in the holy land,” the Minister said.
In addition to signing the MoU, the Minister also visited Saudi Arabia to attend the Mu'tamar and Hajj Exhibition in Jeddah. The Minister will also meet with a number of parties in Saudi Arabia to ensure the readiness of the pilgrims' services.
“Our focus is on how Indonesian pilgrims can get the best service. We will prepare this from the beginning,” he said.