Amid intensive physical training, more than 1,600 prospective hajj officers for the 2026 pilgrimage paused to reflect on the Prophet Muhammad’s journey, which Dahnil said remains relevant to their duties and today’s geopolitical challenges.
Speaking at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Thursday night, Dahnil urged participants to view Isra Miraj not merely as an annual ritual but as guidance on balancing spiritual devotion and social responsibility.
He said the horizontal dimension of Isra, symbolized by the journey from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, carries a message of solidarity central to Indonesia’s values.
“The horizontal symbolism reflects change and struggle. Al-Aqsa represents the ongoing hardship faced by our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” Dahnil said during the evening assembly of prospective hajj officers.
Addressing future servants of Indonesian pilgrims, Dahnil reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying the gathering also served as a moral expression of support for peace and independence for Palestine.
He said the pilgrimage and its preparations should not be separated from broader concerns for social justice and humanitarian issues affecting Muslim communities worldwide.
“This reflects an extraordinary commitment by the Indonesian government to play an active role in supporting peace in Palestine,” Dahnil said.
Turning to the vertical dimension of Miraj, Dahnil said it emphasizes prayer and spiritual growth, reminding officers to strengthen their relationship with God before serving pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Prayer, he said, represents the core of faith and will serve as spiritual energy when officers face exhaustion while assisting elderly pilgrims during the demanding Hajj period.
“Tonight is not merely a closing assembly. It is a moment for reflection. Hajj officers must ask themselves why we are gathered here and what responsibility we carry,” Dahnil said.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, ANTARA noted that Indonesia has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian people’s struggle for independence, a position that has remained unchanged since the presidency of Sukarno.
In 1962, Indonesia’s founding president articulated a principle that continues to guide the country’s foreign policy on Palestine.
“As long as the freedom of Palestine has not been returned to the Palestinians, Indonesia will stand in opposition to Israel’s occupation,” Sukarno said.
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Translator: Citro A, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
