Indonesian Hajj Agency Exposes Extortion in Safari Wukuf Services

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Head of the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Agency, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, stated that implementing the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage was marred by allegations of violations in providing safari wukuf services. This was revealed when Hajj pilgrims staying at transit hotels directly reported to Dahnil Anzar in the Aziziyah area, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

"Allegations have surfaced that pilgrims are being extorted for safari wukuf services and badal ibadah, even though these services should be provided free of charge," Dahnil said in an official statement received by Tempo on Monday, June 9, 2025.

The Gerindra politician explained that the Safari Wukuf is an Indonesian government program that helps pilgrims overcome obstacles to completing the fifth pillar of Islam. This service enables elderly pilgrims, or those with disabilities and high risks, to use buses to move to different places during the wukuf in Arafah.

Dahnil emphasized that all pilgrims who meet the criteria do not need to pay a single penny. "If someone asks for payment, it means they are lying and committing fraud," he said firmly. He condemned those who carried out the extortion. However, Dahnil has not yet revealed who is suspected of seeking personal gain by taking advantage of the pilgrims' ignorance. He has also not disclosed how much money the pilgrims spent.

"Some saved money by selling their fields and motorcycles and struggled for years to be able to perform the Hajj. How could they deceive the elderly like this?" he said.

In response to the losses, Dahnil mentioned that the Hajj Organizing Agency is committed to investigating reports of extortion and manipulation practices. He aims for the extortion of Hajj pilgrims to disappear in the next Hajj season. "We want the Hajj services to be cleaner and more professional to dignify the pilgrims," he said. During his visit to the Hajj pilgrims, Dahnil was accompanied by the Head of Elderly Services, Disabilities and Crisis Handling and First Aid for Hajj Pilgrims (PKP2JH) of Saudi Arabia's PPIH, Suviyanto. The visit was to monitor the quality of services for elderly, disabled, and high-risk pilgrims during the peak of the 1446 Hijriah Hajj pilgrimage.

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