Indonesian Hajj officials urge pilgrims to focus on Arafah standing and health

The standing (wukuf) at Arafah is a core pillar of the Hajj pilgrimage, emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad as the central act of the journey. Pilgrims are urged to spend the day in collective worship – reciting the Qur'an, performing dhikr, offering prayers, and seeking forgiveness – to maximise the spiritual benefit of this sacred occasion.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah consultant Asrorun Niam Sholeh, who also chairs the MUI Fatwa Board, called on Indonesian pilgrims to intensify their preparation for the peak days of the Hajj (8‑13 Zulhijah). He advised them to focus on health, deepen their understanding of the manasik (rituals), increase communal prayers, and make use of the transport facilities in the holy sites. The first wave of Indonesian pilgrims is already in Mecca, while the second wave will depart directly from Indonesia. Asrorun stressed that the pilgrimage demands both physical stamina and financial readiness, and urged worshippers to pray for the safety of families, the nation, and the country’s leaders.