Indonesia's Religious Affairs Ministry to End Hajj Pilgrims as Economic Commodity

Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, declared an end to the practice of viewing Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as mere economic commodities. He emphasized that, under President Prabowo Subianto's directive, the Hajj pilgrimage should transcend being solely a ritual or an economic driver, instead serving as a tool for national transformation.

"Hajj must be a tool for national transformation. Success of civilization and good conduct, as we often call it," Dahnil stated during the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Hajj Work Meeting in East Jakarta. He highlighted President Prabowo's significant expectations for the Hajj pilgrimage to inspire profound changes in national life. Dahnil recalled Indonesian history, noting that many national figures returned from the Holy Land with an intensified spirit of nationhood.

He cited historical leaders like Haji Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto, Haji Agus Salim, KH Ahmad Dahlan (founder of Muhammadiyah), and KH Hasyim Asy'ari (founder of NU) as examples of influential figures who brought about change after performing Hajj. "We also have a responsibility to ensure that Hajj activities can foster nationalism. The spirit of Hajj can also cultivate the improvement of Indonesian civilization, the refinement of the Indonesian people's conduct," he said.

Simanjuntak stressed the Ministry of Religious Affairs' significant responsibility in managing the aspirations of millions of Indonesian Muslims with utmost integrity. He revealed President Prabowo's specific warning that the ministry must be an institution free from corruption and manipulation. "If there is a ministry where corruption and manipulation should not exist, it is the Ministry of Religious Affairs," he stated, adding that ministry officials handle something sacred – the dream of most Indonesian Muslims to perform Hajj. Any deviation, he warned, constitutes a betrayal of public trust. He urged all ministry staff to commit to ending practices that treat Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as business subjects. "We want to stop the tradition or bad behavior that turns Hajj and Umrah pilgrims into economic commodities. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must be subjects of change, subjects of national transformation, civilization transformation, and conduct transformation," he concluded.