The project, currently in the negotiation and land auction stage, is expected to offer an efficient solution for managing pilgrims in the Holy Land.
“God willing, if we can accommodate 200,000 people in one location, it will help reduce Hajj expenses,” said Irfan Yusuf, who is commonly known as Gus Irfan, in Malang City, East Java, on Wednesday.
He explained that all technical and financial calculations related to the Hajj Village project are managed by the Investment Management Agency Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara Indonesia), while the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will serve as the user of the facility.
However, the ministry will provide input regarding the necessary infrastructure and facilities to support pilgrims’ activities during their stay in the Holy Land.
Gus Irfan targets one or two towers within the Hajj Village complex to begin operations by 2028 to accommodate Indonesian pilgrims.
In the long term, the area is expected to feature several towers with a total capacity of up to 200,000 pilgrims.
He added that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is currently reviewing measures to lower Hajj costs, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.
Last year, the regular Hajj cost was recorded at around Rp89.4 million, down from Rp93.4 million in the previous period.
According to him, reducing Hajj expenses is not an easy task, as several factors must be considered, including exchange rate fluctuations between the rupiah, the US dollar, and the Saudi riyal.
A weakening rupiah could directly increase overall costs.
“We have achieved a reduction in the masyair sector, which covers Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina services, down by 200 riyals or approximately Rp886,000 per person starting this year,” he stated.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to seek ways to make the pilgrimage more affordable. Gus Irfan believes the ongoing efforts will bring positive results for pilgrims in the coming years.
“The House of Representatives will form a Working Committee on Hajj Travel Costs on the 27th, and we will hold further discussions,” he said.
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Translator: Ananto Pradana, Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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