Working Visit to Saudi, President Prabowo Pushes for Improvement of Indonesian Hajj Services
By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
The Indonesian government continues to improve the Hajj pilgrimage services for Indonesian pilgrims. During his working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, emphasized his commitment to encourage the improvement of the quality of Hajj services for Indonesian pilgrims. The main focus of this visit is to fight for the global standardization of Indonesian Hajj services so that they are in line with the best quality of service implemented in various countries.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, began his series of overseas visits by conducting a state visit and working visit to Saudi Arabia on July 1, 2025. President Subianto arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of local time on July 2, 2025.
Upon arrival at the Royal Terminal, King Abdulaziz International Airport, President Prabowo was greeted in an honorary ceremony by the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The officials present to welcome him included the Minister of Trade Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Deputy Governor of Mecca, Prince Suud bin Mis’al bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, and the Mayor of Jeddah Saleh Ali Al-Turki. Meanwhile, from the Indonesian side, the Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Ahmad and the Defense Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, Brigadier General Eri Nasuhi, were also present.
During this visit, President Prabowo was accompanied by the Head of the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Agency, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf. Also participating in the state entourage were a number of ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiyono, Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Rosan P. Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
This visit was President Prabowo’s first visit to Saudi Arabia since officially taking office as Head of State. This visit also marked the Indonesian government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner in the Middle East region.
The main focus of President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Saudi Arabia was to discuss the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage, including the evaluation of the 2025 implementation and preparations for the next Hajj season. One of the important topics that will be raised is the plan to build an Indonesian Hajj village in Mecca. The plan is part of the government’s long-term steps to strengthen services for Indonesian hajj and umrah pilgrims in the Holy Land. This project is also considered a form of pilgrim service diplomacy that has a direct impact on the comfort and efficiency of carrying out worship.
With the construction of the hajj village, the government hopes that pilgrim services can be more integrated and comfortable, while at the same time strengthening diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in the religious field.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that this visit would not only discuss technical issues of the hajj, but would also touch on regional political issues. The timing of this visit was considered appropriate because it coincided with the end of the 2025 hajj season. This provides enough space for the two countries to discuss the evaluation and improvement of services in the following year.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar, who accompanied the President on the visit, said that this meeting was an important moment in efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of hajj and umrah. The
Minister of Religion said that with a very large number of pilgrims, namely more than 1.5 million people performing umrah and around 220 thousand hajj pilgrims each year, it is time for Indonesia to have a special area that supports comfort and efficiency of services in the Holy Land. This step is a long-term strategic investment. Not only to strengthen worship services, but also to show Indonesia’s seriousness in maintaining the quality of the hajj organization.
The Minister of Religion also said that the Saudi Arabian government appreciates Indonesia’s management of the hajj. This praise came from the Deputy Minister of Hajj Affairs of Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Indonesian Hajj Affairs Office in Mecca. Indonesia is considered a country with orderly hajj implementation and is most prepared to face the changes in the new system implemented by the Saudi Arabian government.
In addition, the Head of BP Hajj RI, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf (Gus Irfan) said that the bilateral meeting in Jeddah was a strategic moment to strengthen relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, especially in terms of organizing the hajj pilgrimage and cooperation between the countries.
This visit is part of a strategic bilateral diplomatic effort to strengthen relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, especially in the fields of religion, economy, and protection of hajj pilgrims. This state visit is also part of Indonesia’s major diplomatic efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships and provide real benefits to the people and nation.
President Prabowo’s working visit to Saudi Arabia not only strengthens bilateral relations, but also marks Indonesia’s strong commitment to advancing hajj pilgrimage services. By encouraging global standardization and strategic collaboration, Indonesia wants to ensure that the hajj pilgrimage becomes a safe, comfortable, and meaningful spiritual experience for all pilgrims in the country.
In the future, Indonesia is expected to not only be an active participant in the implementation of the Hajj, but also become an inspiration and leader in the governance of modern, inclusive, and internationally standardized Hajj services. This step is part of a major effort towards Golden Indonesia 2045, where spiritual values, public service, and international diplomacy go hand in hand for the welfare of the people.
)* Contributor Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
