Indonesia targets religious economic potential through Hajj spending and community funds

Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is encouraging small and medium enterprises (UMKM) in South Sulawesi to tap into the economic potential of the Hajj pilgrimage. Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf noted that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims' spending reaches approximately Rp4 trillion, with South Sulawesi estimated to contribute about 25 percent of that total.

The Minister emphasized that local businesses should integrate into the supply chain for pilgrims' needs, ranging from consumer products to travel services. To succeed, local UMKM must improve product quality, production capacity, and market consistency.

Separately, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is developing 32 different religious fund pools to support community welfare and poverty alleviation programs. Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated that funds collected from zakat and waqf have exceeded Rp49 trillion. The initiative aims to optimize other sources such as infaq, sadaqah, and grants to strengthen the economic ecosystem for all religious communities in Indonesia.