Religious Affairs Minister's Courtesy Visit to Al-Muhajirien: Recognizing Progress in Education, Hajj-Umrah Services, and Waqf Programs

Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., paid a courtesy visit to the Al-Muhajirien Waqf Foundation in Jakapermai on Friday (18/9/2026). The visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to observe firsthand the foundation's progress across several areas, including education, religious community services, and social and humanitarian outreach.

The visit took place in Jakapermai, Bekasi, and was followed by Friday prayers held together at the Al Azhar Jakapermai Mosque. Following his observations, Nasaruddin Umar expressed his appreciation for the foundation's development.

"I feel proud to witness firsthand how advanced and developed the Al-Muhajirien Waqf Foundation has become. That is why I am giving my appreciation," said Nasaruddin Umar.

This recognition stems from the presence of several institutions and services operating side by side within the foundation: a formal educational institution, the Al Azhar Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group (KBIHU), which has accompanied pilgrims for years, and the Al-Muhajirien Social Fund (ASF), which focuses on social and humanitarian initiatives.

During the visit, the Minister also urged the public to exercise care when selecting educational institutions, religious travel service providers, and organizations for channeling waqf and charitable donations, emphasizing the importance of track record and credibility in making such choices.

Strengthening Education as a Key Pillar of the Foundation's Development

Education emerged as one of the central focuses of the visit. Following the established operation of MI Al-Muhajirien Jakapermai (Islamic Elementary School), the foundation is now preparing to advance to the next level with the development of MTs Al-Muhajirien (Islamic Junior High School), intended as a continuation of education for students who have completed elementary level.

This educational expansion is driven by the need to keep pace with technological change and the demands of digital life, while preserving the core values that form the institution's foundation.

The Head of MI Al-Muhajirien Jakapermai, Rojikin, S.Pd.I., noted that the challenges of the times require educational institutions to strike a balance between strengthening moral character, sharpening critical thinking, and fostering independence among students.

"In the digital era, we need an educational institution capable of responding to the challenges of the times. Together with MTs Al-Muhajirien, let us move forward globally without abandoning moral values and reasoning, building independence through a brilliant entrepreneurial spirit," he said.

As an initial step in introducing this new educational level to the public, the foundation will hold an Open House for MTs Al-Muhajirien on October 10, 2026, at the MI Al-Muhajirien Jakapermai campus.

Pilgrim Guidance and Preparations for the 2027 Hajj

In the area of religious community services, KBIHU Al Azhar continues to play its role in guiding members of the public preparing for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The institution has provided pilgrim guidance services since 2004, and as of 2026, has facilitated the departure of 3,433 pilgrims.

During the 2026 Hajj season, the number of pilgrims accompanied reached 381, the highest figure recorded by KBIHU Al Azhar to date.

Reflecting on this achievement, the Minister emphasized the importance of due diligence when the public selects institutions to accompany their religious journeys.

"Do not make the wrong choice when selecting institutions that will facilitate Umrah or Hajj departures," said Nasaruddin.

Preparations for pilgrim guidance ahead of the 2027 Hajj season are already underway, signaling that this service will continue into future seasons.

Expanding the Reach of Waqf and Social Funds

Another area highlighted during the visit was the social initiative carried out through the Al-Muhajirien Social Fund (ASF). Funds collected by ASF come from the school community, the foundation's extended family, and the wider public, with allocations covering scholarships and educational support, healthcare services, social assistance, and disaster response efforts.

One of ASF's most recent activities took place in East Nusa Tenggara, where aid was distributed to communities affected by disaster, including areas with limited accessibility. This activity forms part of ASF's ongoing series of social, educational, healthcare, and humanitarian programs.

The Minister also acknowledged ASF as one of the foundation's growing institutions, while reminding the public of the importance of trust in the management of social funds.

"Also, do not make the wrong choice when giving your waqf or charitable donations. Choose institutions that have proven trustworthy within the community," said Nasaruddin.

Sustaining Al-Muhajirien's Ongoing Development

The Minister's visit took place amid several ongoing preparations and developments across three key areas. In education, preparations for New Student Admissions for the 2027/2028 academic year are proceeding alongside the development of MTs Al-Muhajirien. In religious community services, preparations for pilgrim guidance ahead of the 2027 Hajj continue through KBIHU Al Azhar. Meanwhile, ASF continues to carry out its various social, educational, healthcare, and humanitarian programs.

Taken together, these activities reflect Al-Muhajirien's ongoing development in managing programs that directly address the needs of the community. The advancement of education, religious services, and social initiatives continues to move forward within a single institutional framework, grounded in Islamic values.