Indonesia Deploys 700 Support Officers to Assist Pilgrims in Mecca

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - In preparation for the upcoming Hajj season, Indonesia is strengthening its support system for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia by mobilizing more than 700 support officers to assist Indonesian worshippers in Mecca.

The mobilization has been conducted by the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah together with the Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Consul General Yusron B. Ambary explained that the officers were recruited from Indonesian residents in Saudi Arabia and students in the Middle East, chosen for their fluency in Arabic.

Their duties will range from managing hotel accommodations and food services to overseeing transportation and monitoring key areas such as Markaziah, where pilgrims often lose their way.

Yusron underscored the importance of the mission with three guiding principles. First, officers must recognize the profound responsibility of serving the “guests of God.” Second, they are expected to maintain strong mental and physical readiness, a philosophy he likened to “tepung” (flour): though the process may be messy, the end result should be something beautiful, like a cake. Third, teamwork is paramount. “I don’t believe in Superman, only in super teams,” he said.

Beyond logistical support, the auxiliary officers will also coordinate closely with the Consulate’s Pilgrim Protection Team. They are tasked with swiftly reporting any potential legal issues involving Indonesian pilgrims, as early intervention often prevents cases from escalating. “Problems resolved amicably at the start rarely proceed to formal legal processes,” Yusron noted.

This initiative reflects Indonesia’s broader commitment to safeguarding its citizens during the pilgrimage, ensuring that both spiritual and practical needs are met with professionalism and care.

Indonesia is strengthening its support system for Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia by deploying hundreds of additional personnel to ensure smoother services during the pilgrimage season, as the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah (KJRI Jeddah), in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, prepares more than 700 support staff for the 2026 Hajj operations in Mecca.

Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary said the personnel are recruited from Indonesian residents in Saudi Arabia and students in the Middle East with strong Arabic language skills.

“They will be assigned to hotels, kitchens, transportation, accommodation, and to monitor the Markaziah area if pilgrims get lost,” Yusron said after opening a technical briefing for the support staff in Mecca on Monday, April 27, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Highlighting the importance of their role, Yusron emphasized three key principles for the personnel. First, a strong sense of responsibility in serving pilgrims. Second, mental and physical readiness through what he described as the “Flour Philosophy.”

“Flour means they must be ready to get ‘messy’ like working in a kitchen, but the result will be something beautiful. It reflects the need for hard work to ensure a successful pilgrimage,” he explained.

Third, he stressed teamwork and collaboration, describing all Hajj officers as one unified team. “I don’t believe in Superman, I believe in a super team,” he said.

In addition to handling basic services, the support staff will work closely with the Pilgrim Protection Team established by KJRI Jeddah, acting as a frontline response unit.

Yusron also instructed personnel to promptly report any potential legal issues involving pilgrims, noting that early intervention can prevent cases from escalating.

“Cases resolved early through discussion with local authorities usually do not proceed to legal processes. But if they do, we must follow the formal procedures,” he concluded. ***