Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to improving the quality of services for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims through the initiative to develop the Indonesian Hajj Village in Mecca.
This strategic program symbolizes the state’s presence in providing a sense of security, comfort, and dignity for millions of Indonesian citizens performing their pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
President Prabowo Subianto stated that the planned Hajj village is part of the history of Indonesia’s bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the first time another nation has owned land in Mecca.
“This is the first time in history that the Saudi government has allowed another nation to own land in the Holy City of Mecca. Ladies and gentlemen, they have amended their laws specifically to honor the Indonesian nation,” the President explained.
Furthermore, the Hajj village will be dedicated to facilitating Indonesian citizens performing the Hajj and Umrah. This demonstrates the government’s concrete efforts to provide the best possible service for those who will perform their pilgrimage there.
“We guarantee that all pilgrims will receive decent housing and a good place. There’s no need for any further hesitation, there should be no more fuss,” he concluded.
The Head of State also targeted the Hajj village to be fully developed within the next three years.
“In a few months, I think we’ll have approximately 1,000 rooms. But we will continue to build,” the President explained.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar revealed that the area will be directly connected to the Grand Mosque via a tunnel.
The Minister of Religious Affairs announced this plan while explaining the progress of Indonesia’s land acquisition in the holy city, which is said to be only about 1 to 3 kilometers from the Kaaba.
“It will probably be around 60 hectares, between 1 and 3 kilometers from the Kaaba. But there will be a tunnel connecting the Grand Mosque to the Indonesian village,” he continued.
He said that Indonesia finally has a large enough plot of land in Mecca, thanks in part to the government’s good relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Thank God, because the President has a close relationship with the King, he was given the opportunity, and we have secured a fairly large plot of land,” said Nasaruddin.
With the establishment of the Indonesian Hajj Village, the government confirms that Hajj and Umrah services are not merely administrative matters, but rather a form of the highest respect for its citizens performing their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
[edRW]
