UIN Jakarta, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and AMPHURI Launch Third Cohort of Hajj and Umrah Guide Certification Program
Tangerang, UIN Online News — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and the Association of Indonesian Muslim Hajj and Umrah Organizers (AMPHURI), officially launched the Third Cohort of the 2026 Hajj and Umrah Guide Certification Program at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Tangerang, on Saturday (24/01/2026). The initiative aims to strengthen the competence, professionalism, and integrity of religious guides responsible for assisting Indonesian pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. H. Puji Raharjo, S.Ag., S.S., S.Hum., Director General of Hajj and Umrah Management at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah; Prof. Dr. Gun Gun Heryanto, M.Si., Dean of UIN Jakarta's Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences (FDIKOM); and H. Firman M. Nur, M.Sc., Chairman of AMPHURI. The program was officially inaugurated with the symbolic presentation of participant identification cards by the Director General.
In his keynote address, Puji Raharjo emphasized that Hajj extends beyond an individual act of worship and carries significant social and civilizational dimensions. As such, he stressed that the constitutional responsibility of organizing Hajj requires highly competent and ethical religious guides.
“Hajj is not merely an individual ritual; it also embodies profound social and civilizational values. As a constitutional mandate of the state, its implementation requires qualified and professional guides who possess both competence and integrity,” he stated.
Echoing this perspective, Dean Prof. Gun Gun Heryanto highlighted the certification program as a bridge between academic knowledge and professional practice. He explained that today's Hajj and Umrah guides must possess not only a comprehensive understanding of Islamic jurisprudence but also effective communication, leadership, and pastoral skills to serve pilgrims in diverse situations.
"Religious guides today must go beyond mastering fiqh. They should also excel in communication and leadership to provide meaningful guidance and support throughout the pilgrimage," he remarked.
Meanwhile, AMPHURI Chairman Firman M. Nur underscored the strategic role of certified guides in realizing the government's Three Successes of Hajj (Tri Sukses Haji) agenda, which encompasses successful religious observance, the development of a sustainable Hajj economic ecosystem, and the advancement of Islamic civilization and ethical values.
According to Firman, competent religious guides are instrumental in ensuring that pilgrims not only perform their rituals correctly but also contribute to the broader objectives of a well-managed and value-driven Hajj system.
The eight-day certification program, running from 24–30 January 2026, brought together 93 participants from across Indonesia, including representatives from Greater Jakarta, Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Participants followed a comprehensive 64-credit-hour curriculum covering government regulations, the philosophy and jurisprudence of Hajj, practical pilgrimage guidance, information technology, and character development.
Through this collaboration, UIN Jakarta reaffirms its commitment to advancing professional education and community service by contributing to the development of highly qualified Hajj and Umrah guides. The program also reflects the university's broader mission to integrate Islamic scholarship with practical expertise in addressing national and global challenges within the field of religious services.