Indonesia readies 6,859 mosques as rest stops for Eid homecoming

by Rachel Morgan News Editor

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced preparations for 6,859 mosques to serve as rest stops for travelers during the 2026 Eid holiday period. This initiative, known as “Masjid Ramah Pemudik” (Mosques Friendly to Travelers), aims to broaden the role of mosques beyond traditional worship spaces and re-establish them as community service centers.

Expanding the Role of Mosques

Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo Muhammad Syafii stated the program seeks to shift perceptions of mosques, emphasizing their potential to provide services to the wider community. He noted that mosques along major homecoming routes will offer safe and comfortable stopover points for those traveling to their hometowns.

Did You Know? The program aims to expand the role of mosques as centers for community service.

Participating mosques will provide a range of services to support travelers, including 24-hour access to prayer rooms, parking, clean toilets, rest areas, first aid, and clean water. Mosque managers are also expected to offer mobile phone charging stations, information centers, drinking water, and light snacks.

Government Support and Coordination

Director General of Islamic Community Guidance Abu Rokhmad described the program as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to serving the public during the annual Eid homecoming season. He added that the mosques are strategically located and have been coordinated with regional offices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure readiness.

Expert Insight: Providing designated rest stops along major travel routes is a proactive step to manage the logistical challenges of the Eid homecoming, a period of significant internal migration in Indonesia. Expanding the apply of existing community infrastructure, like mosques, can be a cost-effective way to support travelers.

Travelers will be able to locate participating mosques using the Pusaka Super App, which provides location information and directions. The initiative extends beyond mosques, with houses of worship from other religions also opening their doors to provide rest stops for travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Masjid Ramah Pemudik” program?

The “Masjid Ramah Pemudik” (Mosques Friendly to Travelers) program is an initiative by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to designate 6,859 mosques as rest stops for travelers during the 2026 Eid holiday period.

What services will be available at the participating mosques?

Participating mosques will provide 24-hour access to prayer rooms, parking areas, clean toilets, rest areas, first aid health services, clean water, mobile phone charging stations, information centers, drinking water, and light snacks.

How can travelers find these rest stop mosques?

Travelers can locate participating mosques using the Pusaka Super App, which provides location information and directions.

As the 2026 Eid holiday approaches, it remains to be seen how effectively the Pusaka Super App will guide travelers to these designated rest stops, and whether the program will alleviate some of the pressures associated with the annual homecoming.

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