A new challenge lies ahead for Hajj officers. The government's demand for excellent services for elderly and disabled pilgrims has become a distinct task. Of course, this great responsibility must be carried out by the officers as best as possible throughout the Hajj season.

This was conveyed by the Dean of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication at the State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin,M.Ag., M.A.I.S., in his remarks at the Opening of the 16th Batch Professional Hajj and Umrah Guidance Certification Training at the University Hotel Yogyakarta, on Saturday (23/8).

The training, held from August 23–29, 2025, was organized by the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication UIN Sunan Kalijaga in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and the Indonesian Hajj Brotherhood Association of Sleman Regency. The event was attended by 86 participants from various regions across Indonesia, as well as the Head of the Hajj and Umrah Division (PHU) of Kemenag DIY, Jauhar Mustofa, S.Si; the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi, S.Ag., M.A., M.Phil.,Ph.D.; and the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, S.Ag., M.Si.

According to Arif, the government's theme this year, "Elderly and Disabled-Friendly Hajj," has become the focus of the officers' work. Elderly and disabled pilgrims are the most vulnerable in terms of istita'ah (the ability to perform Hajj). He emphasized that istita'ah does not depend solely on the pilgrim but is also created by the officers. Hajj officers must act as facilitators for pilgrims who are physically unable to perform the rituals.

"Istita'ah is created. 'Istita'ah is not something inherent in a person, but rather something we provide and facilitate. For example, if a disabled person cannot walk, we provide a wheelchair. That means we are turning someone who was initially not istita'ah into someone who is istita'ah," Arif explained.

The Head of PHU Kemenag DIY, Jauhar Mustofa, S.Si, highlighted the importance of health-based istita'ah for pilgrims. He urged prospective Hajj guides to educate the public that the Hajj is a physically demanding act of worship. "Istita'ah is not only about financial, mental, or spiritual readiness, but also physical. This worship is indeed physical—90 percent physical," Jauhar asserted.

 He also revealed, "At the Hajj embarkation point (SPC) last year, 66 pilgrims who failed the istita'ah screening had to be sent home." Jauhar hoped that the certification participants would become competent guides capable of enlightening prospective pilgrims in their respective regions, thereby minimizing the number of pilgrims sent home due to health reasons.

The Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Noor Haidi, highlighted the complexity of Hajj management—from preparing pilgrims in Indonesia, handling visas and flight tickets, to managing accommodation, transportation, meals, and healthcare in the Holy Land.

Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga explained that over time, we have seen that Hajj operations consistently face challenges. Hajj is not just about managing rituals but also mobilizing millions of people to perform them together from start to finish within a fixed timeframe. "Yet we also know that Hajj involves extremely strict managerial dimensions—how to prepare pilgrims before departure in terms of economic ability, health, and so on," said Noor Haidi.

Any efforts made by the Indonesian government deserve extraordinary appreciation, as Indonesian Hajj officers have successfully managed pilgrims well. "I can only imagine how complex this is. How do you organize it? Millions of people coming together to perform worship," he continued.

 (Fes-Kh)