On Sunday (25/09), Religious Affairs Ministry’s Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Prof Dr. Hilman Latief visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI). In his visit, he encouraged 2,400 freshmen who followed the 2022 New Student Orientation for Campus Life (PKKMB).

During the student orientation, he also greeted all leaders in UMRI, including the Rector, Dr. H Saidul Amin MA, the Vice-Rector III, Dr. Jufrizal Syachri MSi, the Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty (FSI), Dr. Muhammad Syahrullah, and several lecturers of the faculty.

The Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty, Dr. Muhammad Syahrullah warmly welcomed and expressed his gratitude for the visit. “The campus that can produce high-quality resources hopes to collaborate with various stakeholders, especially the government. On this occasion, the Director General of Hajj and Umrah,” he said.

Furthermore, Syahrullah also mentioned that the collaboration will be focused on education and research, pilgrims assistance and counseling, and Hajj guide certification.

“To make it more concrete, there will be collaboration in education and research, pilgrimage assistance and counseling, and the certification of Hajj guide,” said Syahrullah.

On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Hilman Latief mentioned the gap between research and public needs. “In reality, there is a research tradition that does not match between the topic and result of research and the need in the community. It did not align. Currently, there is a gap between the campus academic world and Hajj-Umrah improvement studies”.

Hilman Latief also explained that he opened the collaboration for the Faculty of Islamic Studies UMRI, especially in Islamic Psychology. It can be realized by assisting and conducting counseling for the pilgrims both in Indonesia and in the holy cities of Makkah.

“Counseling is required due to the long waiting period of almost 30 years. It can be a phenomenon that triggers depression and mental health of the Hajj pilgrimage. We hope that the psychology students can guide pilgrimages,” he said.

Hilman also emphasized that to ensure the professionality of Hajj and Umrah management, it is important to certify Hajj and Umrah assistance. The academic campus was expected to produce qualified human resources in organizing Hajj and Umrah to manage pilgrimages.

On this occasion, the Rector of UMRI, Dr. H Saidul Amin also stated that the collaboration between them is inevitable. UMRI should produce numerous professional workers in managing Hajj and Umrah. “The total Hajj pilgrimage costs that reached 163 trillion potentially develop in Sharia Economics method. The number of pilgrimages increases every year. It needs professional workers in the management,” Saidul said.