On the sixth day of the certification program (Friday, March 10th, 2023), Prof. Dr. KH. Akhyak M.Ag, who serves as the Director of Postgraduate Studies at UIN Satu Tulungagung, was a speaker at the afternoon session from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (WIB). The focus of the lecture was to understand the duties and functions of the Hajj guide, including the latest dimensions and issues. As a speaker, Prof. Akhyak performed exceptionally and professionally in providing a detailed understanding of the services for Hajj pilgrims to the participants of the certification program. The moderator, Dr. Budi Hariyanto, M.Fil.I from UIN Satu Tulungagung, accompanied him.



Prof. Akhyak emphasized that Hajj guides must appear friendly and healthy because, for a long time, they were known to be frustrating, irritable, and irresponsible. Therefore, the speaker suggested that if the participants become Hajj guides, they must provide excellent service to the pilgrims. This is determined by the results of a poll from the pilgrims with a very high target polling rate for our services. This indication is because the Hajj pilgrims judge the service of the Hajj guides with the main principles of sincerity, honesty, politeness, and responsibility.


Firstly, the Hajj guide is an Indonesian citizen who is a Muslim, has competencies (knowledge and technical skills) in the field of performing the Hajj pilgrimage/guide. To have these competencies, certification is needed, which is the process of assessing and recognizing the government's ability and skills of a person to conduct professional Hajj guidance.


Secondly, the Hajj guide is responsible for providing guidance to pilgrims from before departure, during the journey, and while in Saudi Arabia until their return to Indonesia. To carry out this duty, the Hajj guide functions to (1) provide guidance to Hajj pilgrims organized by the government and society, both individually and in groups. (2) Provide guidance to pilgrims with minimal materials, including Hajj guidance, travel, and health.


Thirdly, the implementation of Hajj guidance is as follows: (1) The regular Hajj guidance by the government is carried out at least 8 times a day (twice at the district/city level and 6 times at the sub-district level). (2) One meeting lasts for four hours of lessons, where 1 JPL (Jam Pelajaran) equals 60 minutes.


Fourthly, the Hajj guidance materials include:


- Policy for conducting Hajj worship in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia (Taklimatul Hajj)

- Guidance for performing the Hajj pilgrimage (Hajj manasik), both theoretical and practical

- Guidance for Hajj travel (flight safety)

- Health services guidance

- Fiqh Hajj and the wisdom of Hajj worship

- Arbain and pilgrimage

- Akhlaq, customs, and culture of Saudi Arabia


Fifthly, the rights and obligations of the Hajj pilgrims and the formation of Karu, Karom, and Kloter. The guidance of the Hajj manasik by Kelombok Bimbingan is at least 15 times. After participating in Hajj guidance, the pilgrims are expected to: explain the government's policy in conducting Hajj worship, explain the process of Hajj worship from embarkation, in Saudi Arabia, to returning to Indonesia, mention the requirements, pillars, and obligatory acts of Hajj, recite the intention of ihram and talbiyah, explain the meaning of standing at Arafah and staying at Muzdalifah and Mina, practice tawaf, sa'i, stoning, and tahallul, mention the prohibitions of ihram, perform the Hajj manasik and the process of Hajj worship according to Islamic law, explain the meaning and places of pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina, and explain the concept of a haji mabrur (accepted Hajj) and how to maintain it.


Based on the duties and functions mentioned above, the Indonesian Hajj Guide Training and Certification Center (TPIHI) has the following roles:


- Organizer, who organizes and coordinates all Hajj worship activities, worship problem-solving, and Hajj manasik in their respective Kloter with the Head of Worship and Guidance Supervision of the Daker (Working Area), Sector, and Head of Daker.

- Facilitator, who provides services to the pilgrims in their respective Kloter and other relevant parties.

- Ustadz/Ustadzah, who provides consultation regarding worship and Hajj manasik problems to the pilgrims in their respective Kloter.

- Analyst, expected to be able to analyze the problems faced by the Hajj pilgrims in their respective Kloter, from the cause of problems to providing solutions and resolving them.

- Administrator, who accumulates data, processes data, compiles narratives and reports on all worship service activities for the Hajj pilgrims in their respective Kloter and reports to the Kloter Chairman to the Sector or Daker.