Indonesia to build hajj village in Makkah to cut pilgrimage costs

Indonesia’s government is working to lower the cost of the annual Hajj pilgrimage for its citizens by building a dedicated Hajj Village in Mecca, increasing flights and shortening pilgrims’ stays in Saudi Arabia, officials said Tuesday. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told reporters in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, that President Prabowo Subianto had instructed ministers to […]

Indonesia’s government is working to lower the cost of the annual Hajj pilgrimage for its citizens by building a dedicated Hajj Village in Mecca, increasing flights and shortening pilgrims’ stays in Saudi Arabia, officials said Tuesday.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told reporters in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, that President Prabowo Subianto had instructed ministers to push Hajj costs as low as possible through multiple policy scenarios aimed at easing the financial burden on pilgrims.

One key measure is the construction of an Indonesia-managed Hajj Village, allowing the government to control accommodation and logistics more efficiently, he said.

He added that Indonesia is also negotiating for additional flights to reduce waiting times and improve scheduling during the peak pilgrimage season.

Currently, Indonesian pilgrims spend an average of about 41 days in Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian government aims to reduce that duration closer to Malaysia’s average stay of around 31 days, Hadi said.

Shortening the length of stay would significantly cut accommodation and living expenses, which make up a large portion of Hajj costs borne by pilgrims.

Minister of Religious Affairs for Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said the planned Hajj Village will be located in the Thakher area of Makkah, close to key pilgrimage sites.

The hotel complex in the area will be managed by state-backed investment agency Danantara, while the Ministry of Religious Affairs will use the facilities for Indonesian pilgrims, Yusuf said.

However, he said the Hajj Village will not be ready for use during the 2026 Hajj season. “It will likely only be operational in 2027,” he added.

He stated that there has been no change to the current arrival scheme for Indonesian pilgrims, who will continue to enter Saudi Arabia through Madinah and Jeddah.

Danantara Chief Executive Rosan Roeslani said construction of the Hajj Village is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. For the upcoming Hajj season, he said assets already acquired in Makkah are still being surveyed by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Indonesia sends the world’s largest number of pilgrims to Makkah each year, and rising costs have long been a concern for prospective worshippers. (Antara News)