By: Ricky Rinaldi
The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has shown its seriousness in providing optimal services to Indonesian hajj pilgrims, especially those who are considered vulnerable such as the elderly and people with disabilities. During this year’s hajj season, various concrete steps have been taken to ensure that all pilgrims can perform their worship safely, comfortably, and with full devotion. One of the main steps taken is to deploy hundreds of trained officers who are specifically assigned to accompany elderly and disabled pilgrims during the peak of the hajj pilgrimage.
A total of 183 special officers are prepared with full consideration and training to provide assistance to pilgrims with special needs. They will work at various strategic points, especially during the peak of worship in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina, which are known as the most tiring and dense stages in the series of hajj pilgrimages. These officers are not only tasked with helping with physical mobility, but are also expected to be able to provide emotional and spiritual support so that the pilgrims they accompany can still carry out their worship properly despite facing physical limitations.
The presence of these officers is a real form of government attention to vulnerable groups. In hot weather conditions and dense environments such as in the Holy Land, the elderly and people with disabilities do need extra support. The government understands very well that the Hajj pilgrimage is not just a ritual, but also a spiritual journey that is highly anticipated and full of hope for Muslims. Therefore, maximum efforts are made so that no pilgrims feel left behind or experience difficulties that are not handled.
The accompanying officers are selected selectively and given thorough training. They are trained to be able to manage emergency situations, understand the special needs of elderly pilgrims, and provide assistance in various conditions. For example, when pilgrims need wheelchairs, first aid, or simply moral support due to fatigue, these officers are expected to be present quickly and with empathy. This humanistic service approach is one of the main keys to ensuring that the Hajj pilgrimage can run smoothly and provide a memorable spiritual experience for all pilgrims.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also activated a Hajj service monitoring team tasked with monitoring the implementation of services in the field, especially services provided by the Special Hajj Pilgrimage Organizers (PIHK). This monitoring team is spread across a number of vital points, including airports in Saudi Arabia which are the entry gates for pilgrims to the Holy Land. This step is important to ensure that the entire series of services, from arrival to departure back to Indonesia, runs according to established standards.
This supervision is not only to assess the performance of PIHK, but also to guarantee the rights of pilgrims to receive appropriate services according to regulations and public service values. This reflects the seriousness of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to not only provide services, but also ensure that the services are provided with the best quality. In its implementation, this supervisory team works together with various parties, both the Saudi Arabian authorities and private sector Hajj service providers, in order to build effective synergy for the benefit of the pilgrims.
Head of the PPIH Airport Working Area in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Basir, said that his party is fully committed to maintaining the quality of service from the first point of arrival of the congregation at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. According to him, good service from the start will create a positive mood for the congregation, which ultimately has a direct impact on the smoothness and solemnity in carrying out worship. He emphasized that all congregations must receive fair service and in accordance with applicable provisions, regardless of whether they are members of regular or special hajj.
Support also came from the organizers of the special hajj. The General Chairperson of the Umrah and Special Hajj Organizers Association (SAPUHI), Syam Resfiadi, stated that PIHK continues to strive to provide professional and solution-oriented services, even though various operational challenges in the field often arise. He emphasized that the satisfaction of the congregation is a top priority that cannot be ignored. In organizing a complex hajj like this, according to him, collaboration between the government and private organizers is needed to ensure that every aspect of service runs well.
These steps taken by the government mark a new approach in organizing the Hajj pilgrimage that is more oriented towards the quality of service and protection of vulnerable groups. The government is not only focusing on logistics and quotas, but also thinking seriously about the humanitarian aspects and personal needs of the pilgrims. This reflects the understanding that the Hajj pilgrimage is a peak spiritual moment for Muslims that must be accompanied by the best service.
Through the distribution of special officers, service supervision, and synergy with PIHK, the government hopes that all Indonesian hajj pilgrims, both regular and special, can carry out their pilgrimage smoothly and return home with a deep spiritual experience. Great attention to the elderly and disabled is also expected to become a new standard in hajj pilgrimage services in the future, as part of Indonesia’s commitment to becoming a superior and world-class hajj pilgrim serving country.
With the spirit of mutual cooperation and sincerity of service, the Hajj officers who were deployed not only carried out administrative duties, but also carried out a humanitarian mission. They were present not only as workers, but as part of the pilgrims’ spiritual journey. Therefore, appreciation should be given to all officers and parties involved, who have given their best dedication to the success of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. In the future, it is hoped that the improvement in the quality of this service will continue as a real manifestation of the state being present in every step of its people’s worship.
*)Public Policy Observer – National Welfare Center
