Story of a Visually Impaired Prospective Hajj Pilgrim Who Almost Failed to Depart

The journey of Ipan Hidayatulloh, a 46-year-old visually impaired man from Indonesia, to fulfill his Hajj pilgrimage nearly ended in disappointment due to a bureaucratic tangle involving the nation's complex Hajj computerization system, Siskohat. Having registered in 2019, Ipan faced a significant hurdle when attempting to finalize his payment for the 2026 Hajj season, only to find his account blocked due to discrepancies in recorded data and alleged regulatory changes.

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At the time, my wife and I wanted to make the final payment in 2024, but the central Ministry said my account was still blocked, and besides, the data recorded in Siskohat was different and they said the regulations had changed.

This situation highlights a critical flaw in the integration of systems between different ministries. While the Ministry of Health had certified Ipan and his wife as fit for Hajj – with his wife designated as his essential companion – the Siskohat system, managed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, presented a contradictory record. Astonishingly, his wife, who suffers from myopia (nearsightedness) but is not visually impaired, was incorrectly listed as disabled and unfit to travel. This misclassification threatened to disqualify Ipan himself, as pilgrims requiring assistance cannot travel without a designated, fit companion.

Fortunately, Ipan's plight was brought to the attention of the National Disability Commission (KND) through the Indonesian Muslim Blind Association (ITMI). During an inclusive Hajj dissemination event, Ipan had the opportunity to directly present his case to the Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Guidance. This direct intervention proved crucial. Approximately a month later, Ipan received confirmation that the issue had been resolved, and both he and his wife were cleared to complete their Hajj payment.

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Even though my wife is a sighted person, she has myopia or is nearsighted, but she is not visually impaired.

Ipan's experience underscores a broader challenge: the need for better communication and synchronization between government agencies, especially concerning sensitive processes like Hajj registration. He concluded that the regulatory changes, while perhaps intended to streamline processes, had not been adequately communicated to regional and field-level Hajj organizers. His successful resolution serves as a testament to the importance of advocacy and direct engagement in navigating bureaucratic obstacles, ensuring that the sacred pilgrimage remains accessible to all, regardless of disability or systemic challenges.

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From the results of that dissemination, I concluded that the central regulations that changed had not been well socialized to the Hajj organizers in the regions or to the Hajj officers in the field.