By Dadi Darmadi
UIN Jakarta – In a recent enlightening public lecture, Professor Hilman Latief, the Director General of Hajj, shared profound insights into the intricate ecosystem of Hajj management, highlighting its paramount significance for Indonesia. This year, with an impressive annual pilgrimage count of 221,000, accompanied by an additional 8,000 pilgrims, Indonesia claims the distinction of being the world’s largest Hajj contingent. This status carries profound implications that cannot be ignored.
The importance of the academic dimension of Hajj management was underscored by Professor Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, PhD the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. He expressed his hope that the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs will continue to engage with academic institutions like UIN Jakarta to enhance the Hajj Services Ecosystem in Indonesia. Responding to the Rector’s statement, Professor Hilman emphasized the indispensable role of academia, exemplified by institutions like UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, in research, advocacy, and student internship programs during each Hajj season to cultivate growth in these domains.
A pivotal discussion, led by Din Wahid, PhD, the Vice Rector of Cooperations at UIN Jakarta, revolved around the staggering economic impact of Hajj, with an estimated IDR 19 trillion rupiahs spent during the two-month pilgrimage period and a staggering annual expenditure of IDR 60 trillion rupiahs for Hajj and Umrah from Indonesia alone.
Healthcare for Hajj pilgrims also assumed a prominent place in Professor Hilman’s discourse. He unveiled plans for the grand Mudzakarah Istitha’ah of Hajj in October 2023, with a primary focus on the health and well-being of #pilgrims, symbolizing their readiness (Istitha’ah) for the sacred journey.
The lecture cast light on progressive changes in Saudi Arabia’s #Hajj management, including Fiqh Taysir on Hajj and the increasing involvement of women as Hajj officers. Professor Hilman strongly advocated for the exploration of similar reforms in Indonesia.
The spiritual dimension of Hajj, as illuminated by the Qur’an, especially Surah Al Hajj verse 29, was another key highlight, underscoring Hajj as a source of profound blessings.
Furthermore, Professor Hilman called for “fresh” ijtihad (interpretation) in Hajj fiqh, with a particular focus on dam (sacrificial animal) management. Notably, the Tamattu Hajj, the most commonly practiced form among Indonesian pilgrims, involves the sacrifice of sheep, goats, or lambs, incurring a cost of almost half a trillion rupiahs.
Thus, he underscored the vital importance of standardization and trust in overseeing the sacrifice of 200,000 goats for over 200,000 Hajj pilgrims. Professor Hilman stressed the need for minimal supervision and ongoing improvements to ensure the integrity of this process.
Comparatively, Professor Hilman noted that the waiting period for Hajj in Indonesia typically ranges from 30 to 40 years across regions, whereas in Malaysia, it is significantly longer at 147 years, attributed to the belief that Allah determines the timing of a Muslim’s Hajj pilgrimage.
In conclusion, Professor Hilman’s lecture offered invaluable insights into the sustainability of Hajj funds management, shedding light on strategies to secure the long-term viability of this essential endeavor.
His lecture served as a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities within Hajj management, illuminating its spiritual and economic significance. It not only informed but also ignited contemplation and exploration within the university community.
~ Dadi Darmadi, Senior Researcher at PPIM UIN Jakarta, and Lecturer at Religious Studies Department, Faculty of Ushuludin, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
