By: Melati Cahaya Ramadhani )*
The Hajj pilgrimage in 2025 closes the series with a solemn atmosphere that touches the heart. Millions of pilgrims from various corners of the world, including more than 200,000 pilgrims from Indonesia, managed to complete the entire procession in an orderly and solemn manner.
Despite the tight schedule of worship and physical challenges, especially due to the extreme weather that reaches 40 degrees Celsius, the enthusiasm of the congregation did not diminish at all. On the contrary, the outpouring of gratitude and thanks grew stronger from those who managed to complete the fifth pillar of Islam.
Since the beginning of the implementation, millions of pilgrims have begun their spiritual journey to Mina. The procession is not just a physical movement, but more than that—a journey into the soul that tests how sincere and firm a person’s faith is.
The pilgrims filled the Mina Valley with their steady steps, wearing ihram clothes, and made up their minds to be able to achieve the pleasure of Allah SWT. The togetherness across nations and cultures was felt real, and further strengthened the meaning of unity in equality before God Almighty.
Ahmad Al-Mansur, a pilgrim from Egypt, expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to make the Hajj in 2025. According to him, the Hajj pilgrimage is the culmination of long hopes and endless prayers that continue to be said.
In his eyes, Mina is not only a tent city that can accommodate a sea of people, but also a place to begin a total cleansing of the soul. The solemnity that accompanies the journey of the pilgrims can erase geographical boundaries, then create an undeniable spiritual solidarity.
Not only from abroad, but pilgrims from Indonesia also showed their extraordinary tenacity. Setiawan, a young pilgrim from Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, expressed his emotion and gratitude after undergoing wukuf in Arafah.
As an orphan, he used this pilgrimage moment as a means to pray for his parents and ask for a better life. For him, wukuf is not just a ritual, but a great gift from Allah which also proves His presence in every prayer of mankind.
Setiawan then said that the service during Arafah was very satisfying. The facilities available there were considered adequate and able to make the congregation worship without being disturbed.
He specifically expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Religion and the organizers who had given maximum attention. The gratitude flowed sincerely, becoming a form of appreciation for the dedication involved in ensuring the smooth running of worship for hundreds of thousands of people.
On the other hand, the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, also gave full attention to the implementation of this year’s hajj. She assessed that the implementation of the pilgrimage went quite well and must be maintained until the end.
According to him, the entire series that has been carried out by the congregation shows high discipline and commitment from all field officers. Services to the congregation, especially those who are elderly or have comorbidities, are the focus of attention so that worship can continue to run safely and comfortably.
Puan also highlighted the new multi-syariah system implemented by the Saudi Arabian government. This system requires organizing the congregation in caravans, replacing the group system that has been used so far.
Despite being a new challenge, he considered this change an important opportunity to improve the overall hajj service. With proper coordination between PPIH and the sharia, this system has the potential to become a new standard in organizing modern hajj.
In her evaluation, Puan emphasized the importance of early mitigation of health risks. She asked health workers to immediately map vulnerable pilgrims, especially the elderly and those experiencing decreased fitness.
A proactive approach, he said, is key to preventing health threats such as extreme fatigue and heatstroke, which often haunt worship services in the Armuzna area.
Criticism and input also did not escape attention. Puan emphasized that the Indonesian House of Representatives will request a complete report from the Ministry of Religion and related partners to ensure that all aspects of the implementation of the Hajj are evaluated thoroughly. She also ensured that supervision of the visa issue for furoda pilgrims who canceled their departures remains a priority so that no party is harmed.
The overall implementation of the 2025 Hajj reflects a collaborative effort across institutions and nations to ensure that the pilgrimage runs smoothly. Gratitude was expressed not only by the pilgrims, but also by those directly involved in the field. The sight of the pilgrims returning from Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina with calm faces and teary eyes was a silent witness to the success of a holy journey.
As expressed by many, this year’s Hajj moment unites hopes, prayers, and gratitude from all over the world. Amidst global challenges and systemic changes in the governance of worship, the sacredness remains intact. Great hopes also depend on this momentum to continue to strengthen the solidarity of Muslims and improve services in the future. (*)
)* Public Policy Observer – Madani Institute Social Institution
