Malang. President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday that construction of an Indonesian “Hajj Village” in Mecca is underway, with at least 1,000 accommodation rooms expected to be ready within the next few months.

Indonesia sends around 220,000 pilgrims annually for the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, while the number of Umrah pilgrims — which is not seasonally restricted — can exceed 2 million people each year.

To improve services for Indonesian worshippers, the government last year acquired land and hotel assets near Mecca through its sovereign wealth fund, Danantara.

Speaking at the centenary celebration of Nahdlatul Ulama in Malang, Prabowo said the land purchase marked a historic milestone, making Indonesia the first foreign country permitted to own property in Saudi Arabia.

“We will build an Indonesian Hajj Village for our Hajj and Umrah pilgrims,” Prabowo said. “This is the first time the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed another country to own land in Mecca, and they even amended special regulations as a sign of respect for the Indonesian nation.”

He added that the complex is designed to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims, with full construction expected to take about three years.

“God willing, within three years, we will have a proper Hajj Village. In the coming months, around 1,000 rooms will be available, and development will continue,” he said.

Addressing thousands of NU members and leaders at Gajayana Stadium, Prabowo also pledged to continuously review the costs borne by Indonesian pilgrims and reaffirmed his commitment to reducing the financial burden of Hajj and Umrah.

“Believe me, the government I lead will always prioritize the people’s interests. The people’s interests come above all else,” he said.

Prabowo also reiterated his commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s natural wealth.

“Too much of Indonesia’s wealth has left our land. Too much has been taken abroad,” he said. “I was sworn in to protect the Indonesian people. Accepting that mandate also means I must protect all the wealth that belongs to the Indonesian people.”