Indonesia has begun land clearance for a Hajj village in Saudi Arabia's Jabal Hindawiyah area. The project is 2 to 2.5 kilometers from Masjidil Haram and aims to improve services for Hajj pilgrims. The initial phase includes three towers for 1,600 people.
The Indonesian government has started clearing land for the Hajj village in the Jabal Hindawiyah area near Masjidil Haram as the initial construction phase. The site is about 2 to 2.5 kilometers from Masjidil Haram, featuring special access like a tunnel to avoid vehicle traffic.
"The location is very close, there will be special access, like a tunnel, so pilgrims are not disturbed by vehicle and other pilgrim traffic," said Presidential Special Advisor on Hajj Affairs Muhadjir Effendy in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.
The initial phase prepares three towers to accommodate around 1,600 pilgrims, targeted for use in next year's Hajj season after management by Danantara. Overall, the area is planned for hundreds of residential towers for most Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. Of the total 84 hectares needed, 54 hectares are currently in the clearance process.
This project is a 40-year vision initiated by President Joko Widodo and continued by President Prabowo Subianto. Financing is through investments managed by Danantara, involving investors including from Saudi Arabia, without relying on the state budget. The government has allocated Rp1.7 trillion for operations without burdening pilgrims.
"We've dreamed of having a Hajj village for 40 years. Now it's starting to be realized," Muhadjir said.
