The Jakarta Government is reopening the free umrah program for marbut (mosque keepers) in 2026, after it was last held in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jakarta ID card is a mandatory requirement

This program is a form of appreciation for the mosque keepers who have served for more than a decade in Jakarta.

Mental and Spiritual Education Bureau (Dikmental) Acting Head, Aceng Zaeni said this free umrah program is based on recommendations from the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) Jakarta. DMI also serves as the body that selects prospective umrah participants as it is the institution that oversees mosques and its keepers.

"Jakarta ID card is a mandatory requirement, and every candidate must have been a mosque keeper for at least 15 years. The selector is DMI," he expressed, Wednesday (4/16).

According to him, this program was planned to allocate one keeper from each urban village. However, the final decision would adjust to the budget capacity set in the City Budget (APBD) 2026.

"Jakarta Government can ensure the exact number of participants who will be dispatched after the budget is approved," he explained.

Even, the program would also facilitate followers of other religions to undertake holy pilgrimage journeys, such as to the Holy Land for Christians, as well as pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists, in accordance with the proportions and allocations available in the same fiscal year.

"All religions are given equal opportunity. Other religions will be facilitated for pilgrimage in 2026," he added.

Here are the requirements for the Free Umrah for Jakarta mosque keepers 2026:

• Must have been a Mosque Keeper for at least 15 years

• Must have a Jakarta ID card

• Must not have performed Umrah before

• Must be physically and mentally healthy

"May this serve as motivation and a tangible form of appreciation for the dedication of mosque keepers in maintaining the cleanliness, security, and comfort of places of worship in Jakarta," he stated.