JAKARTA, The Kabar News—Indonesia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry is considering the involvement of non-Muslims in domestic services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. However, the government has yet to announce formal recruitment rules. It also has not named eligible positions.

Deputy Hajj and Umrah Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak presented the proposal during a visit to Manado, North Sulawesi, on Friday, Oct. 30. He said cross-faith participation could turn Hajj services into a practical expression of Indonesia’s religious diversity. In addition, it would reflect the tradition of mutual assistance.

“Our focus is to ensure that Hajj pilgrims become a symbol of tolerance among religious communities. In the future, Hajj service personnel could involve our Christian, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu brothers and sisters, among others,” Dahnil said, according to a ministry statement reported by Antara.

Dahnil said people from different religious backgrounds could contribute to supporting pilgrims through humanitarian and public-service work. He cited North Sulawesi, a religiously diverse province, as a potential starting point for wider interfaith participation.

“This is one effort to present a symbol of tolerance, not only in North Sulawesi but throughout Indonesia,” he said.

The proposal does not mean non-Muslim personnel would automatically accompany pilgrims to Hajj sites in Saudi Arabia. The ministry has not specified whether the planned roles would cover administration. It also has not said if they include health services, transportation or assistance at Indonesian embarkation and debarkation facilities.

Existing requirements also remain a significant consideration. The ministry’s official selection guidelines for 2026 Hajj personnel required applicants for the Indonesian Haj Management Committee (PPIH) to be Muslim. These guidelines covered flight group officers. They also covered personnel assigned to accommodation, catering and transportation services in Saudi Arabia.

The government would therefore need to revise its recruitment rules or establish separate domestic support positions. Only then could they put Dahnil’s proposal into practice.

Saudi regulations impose further operational limits. The kingdom’s official visa terms state that non-Muslims may not enter the Grand Mosque and its premises in Makkah or the Prophet’s Mosque compound in Medina. Moreover, Saudi authorities also require official permits for people entering Makkah during the Hajj season.

These restrictions suggest that any cross-faith participation would most plausibly take place in Indonesia. Potential duties could include assisting pilgrims before departure. In addition, duties could include managing luggage or transportation, providing non-ritual health support and helping families when pilgrims return.

Indonesia already operates Hajj embarkation points where government agencies coordinate immigration, health screening and transportation before pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia. Interfaith personnel could support such public-service functions. However, they would not take part in religious guidance or rituals.

Dahnil’s proposal remains at the policy-discussion stage. The ministry must still clarify the available positions, required qualifications and safeguards for respecting the religious nature of Hajj. Clear regulations will determine whether the initiative can strengthen tolerance while preserving professional standards and compliance with Saudi rules.