TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto plans to establish a special team to explore the development of an Indonesian Hajj village in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to enhance services for the large number of Indonesian pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah.

Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, Head of the Hajj Organizer Body (BP), confirmed the plan on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Jeddah. "Regarding the plan for the Hajj Village, a team will be formed to explore possibilities for cooperation between the Saudi and Indonesian governments," he said.

On another occasion, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar elaborated that forming a joint study team is the first step to developing technical cooperation models and necessary regulatory frameworks. "In accordance with the President's directive, we are collaborating with the Hajj Management Agency (BPH) to promptly draft legislation that will govern this matter," he added.

Minister of Agriculture Zulkifli Hasan reported that the Indonesian and Saudi Arabian governments have convened to discuss the establishment of the Hajj Village. Beyond this specific project, the bilateral discussions encompassed a wide array of cooperative ventures, ranging from expediting free trade agreements to strategic investment plans within the energy sector.

"Thus far, our cooperation has largely focused on Umrah, Hajj, and labor affairs. However, both nations now seek to expand this collaboration into wider sectors," he explained.

He also highlighted the need to address technical barriers hindering Indonesian product exports to Saudi Arabia, requesting direct intervention from the Crown Prince for swift resolution due to his authority in the matter.

Previously, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo H.R. Muhammad Syafi'i indicated that the large number of Indonesian Umrah and Hajj pilgrims has inspired President Prabowo's desire to construct a Hajj village in the Holy Land.

The Deputy Minister emphasized Indonesia's considerable contribution to Saudi Arabia in the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage. "Due to this circumstance, President Prabowo Subianto aspires to construct a Hajj village in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to facilitate Indonesian Hajj pilgrims," said the Deputy Minister, affectionately known as Romo, as quoted from the Ministry of Religious Affairs website on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Romo also conveyed that the concept of establishing an Indonesian Hajj village in Mecca has received a positive response from the Saudi Arabian government, particularly from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

However, Romo cautioned that the construction of the Hajj village might not commence this year. Consequently, for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the government may consider leasing hotel accommodations as a provisional alternative to the Hajj village.

Anastasya Lavenia Y contributed to the report.

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