"The Hajj implementation should not fail just because of the government transition," he said at a meeting on the 2024 Hajj evaluation with Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday.
His ministry has also sought support and cooperation from the commission to ensure there are no disruptions in the implementation of the 2025 Hajj.
"Our side, with all the risks and support from Commission VIII, hopes there will be (no) disruption for Hajj next year," the minister said.
Under the leadership of President Prabowo, the Hajj and Umrah Agency has been formed as an independent institution, separate from the Religious Affairs Ministry.
This step has been taken so that the government can focus on improving the implementation of a safe and comfortable Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to head of the Hajj and Umrah Agency, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf.
"President Prabowo hopes that we can be an independent Hajj organizing agency next year. He has also conveyed other expectations for the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage," he informed.
Currently, his agency is carrying out two missions to fulfill Prabowo's hopes, namely ensuring safe departure and providing comfort to pilgrims during the Hajj season.
For this year, the agency will continue to collaborate with the Directorate of Hajj and Umrah of the Religious Affairs Ministry.
From next year, Yusuf is aiming to make his agency's operations independent.
Earlier, President Prabowo also shared plans to build a special village for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to centralize their worship activities.
"The President hopes Indonesia can have a Hajj village in Saudi Arabia. All activities of Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims can be centralized at one location," Yusuf informed on October 22.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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