Jakarta, Jan. 8 -- Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammad Irfan Yusuf said preparations for organizing the Hajj pilgrimage have progressed significantly and shown substantial improvement.

"We have secured two syarikah (service partners) that will serve Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. In addition, locations for Hajj rituals in Armuzna-Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina-have also been confirmed," Yusuf said on Thursday.

He explained that most core services, including transportation, catering, and accommodation in Saudi Arabia, are largely in place, although some aspects are still being finalized.

Transportation and catering services have reached full readiness, while accommodation in Medina is about 93 percent complete.

"As for accommodation in Mecca,...