Indonesia Pushes Inclusive Hajj Services, Ensuring Equal Access for All Pilgrims

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Efforts to make the hajj more inclusive are gaining momentum in Indonesia, with government officials and disability advocates joining forces to ensure that elderly pilgrims, women, and persons with disabilities receive equal treatment and support during the sacred journey.

At a public forum organized by the National Commission on Disability (KND) on Friday, March 13, 2026, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Management Puji Raharjo reaffirmed the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s commitment to building a system that is safe, humane, and accessible.

“Hajj is the right and obligation of every Muslim, regardless of background or physical condition,” Raharjo said, as quoted on the Ministry of Religious Affairs official website. He noted that ongoing regulatory reforms are designed to strengthen inclusivity, ensuring that services from accommodations to mobility assistance are tailored to diverse needs.

Raharjo emphasized that inclusivity is not limited to policy but requires active collaboration. “We continue to expand coordination with disability organizations so that every pilgrim has equal space and opportunity,” he added.

KND Chair Dante Rigmalia welcomed the ministry’s responsiveness, pointing to improvements already visible during the 2025 hajj season, including better food services for elderly and disabled pilgrims. She stressed, however, that more work is needed, particularly in providing dedicated assistance for wheelchair users to ensure safety and comfort.

The event drew representatives from multiple ministries, civil society groups, and disability organizations, with 45 participants attending in person and others joining online.

Stakeholders agreed that strengthening inclusivity in hajj services is part of a broader transformation one that envisions a pilgrimage system that is fair, adaptive, and dignified for all Indonesian pilgrims. ***