Jakarta, Aug. 22 -- Indonesia's parliament has agreed to a government request to pay part of the 2026 Hajj costs in advance to make sure pilgrims get proper services during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The payment, worth 627.24 million Saudi riyals (around Rp2.72 trillion or USD167 million), will be used to secure essential services such as tents, food, transport, and accommodation in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina - key locations during the Hajj.

"This is an urgent situation," said the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission VIII Chair Marwan Dasopang after a meeting with the Religious Affairs Ministry and Hajj agencies on Thursday.

"Without early payment, we might lose access to important facilities for our pilgrims," he said.

R...