JAKARTA — As Ramadan 1447 Hijri approaches, Indonesia has made history as the first country to obtain property ownership permits in Mecca and Medina to strengthen Hajj and Umrah services.
This achievement was realized through the Indonesian Hajj Village project managed by BPI Danantara under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto.
The management was marked by the acquisition of the Novotel Thakher Hotel and approximately five hectares of land near the Grand Mosque.
Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that this privilege is only given to Indonesia.
“We are the first country to be given the opportunity to purchase property in the cities of Mecca and Medina. No other country has had this opportunity except Indonesia,” he said.
According to Nasaruddin, this opportunity is inseparable from the strong bilateral relationship between President Prabowo and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Thank God, because the President has a close relationship with us, we were given the opportunity. And we’ve already secured a fairly large plot of land,” he continued.
In terms of investment management, Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani explained that the Indonesian Hajj Village project is currently entering the technical design development stage before construction begins in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“Yes, so we plan to create more detailed drawings. We’re targeting construction to begin in Q4 2026,” said Rosan.
The integrated area is designed to include 13 hotel towers along with health facilities, mosques and other supporting facilities to increase the comfort of the congregation.
Not only that, but the whole thing also aims to further reduce long-term accommodation costs, with the investment value of the Thakher City area reaching around USD 1.2 billion.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that the successful acquisition of the assets was the result of President Prabowo’s intensive diplomacy, which encouraged changes in Saudi Arabian policy, opening up opportunities for property ownership to foreign countries.
“Mr. Rosan reported that we have won the bidding (auction), and we now have our own hotel in Mecca, thanks to the extraordinary diplomacy of the President,” said Prasetyo.
Ownership of strategic properties in the Holy Land underscores the government’s commitment to providing more dignified Hajj and Umrah services.
Furthermore, this government step also symbolizes the state’s presence in ensuring the comfort, efficiency, and independence of services for Indonesian pilgrims ahead of Ramadan. (*)