inp.polri.go.id - Sorong. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf evaluated the implementation of the 1447 Hijri/2026 AD Hajj pilgrimage in West Papua and Southwest Papua (PBD) as an effort to improve the quality of service for prospective pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season.

"This evaluation is not just a ritual. We want it to be part of improving Hajj services for next year. Please be open about any shortcomings during the service, not to blame each other, but to provide information for improvement," he said in Sorong on Friday (7/17/2026).

He said that all input from local governments, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj, and Hajj organizers will form the basis for formulating improvement measures to optimize services for pilgrims.

According to Irfan, President Prabowo Subianto established the Ministry of Hajj to ensure that the Hajj pilgrimage is run more professionally and oriented towards the best service for Indonesian pilgrims.

He also expressed his appreciation to all Hajj officials, including those in West Papua and PBD, who have worked to ensure the success of the 2026 Hajj operations.

"The President also expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in organizing the Hajj. This year's Hajj is considered the best in the history of Indonesian Hajj," he said.

On that occasion, Irfan acknowledged that the Ministry of Hajj still faces limited human resources (HR). Nationally, the need for staff is estimated at around 7,000, while the current number of available HR is only around 3,600.

Therefore, the ministry is opening opportunities for civil servants (ASN) from ministries, institutions, and local governments to join in strengthening the Ministry of Hajj's HR.

(ad/inp/pr/rs)