PORTALJABAR, CIAMIS REGENCY - The Regent of Ciamis stated that the blessings of the Hajj do not end when pilgrims return from the Holy Land. Instead, he hopes the values of the Hajj will live on through social awareness, exemplary behavior, brotherhood, and community service.

This message became the main spirit in the Inauguration of the Regional Management of the Indonesian Hajj Brotherhood Association (IPHI) and the IPHI Women's Taklim Council (MTP) of Ciamis Regency for the 2026–2031 Period, which was combined with the Tasyakur of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday and the 51st Milad of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

The activity took place at the KH Irfan Hielmy Islamic Center Building, Ciamis Regency, Wednesday (19/8/2026), and was attended directly by the Regent of Ciamis, H. Herdiat Sunarya, elements of the Forkopimda, ranks of the Ciamis Regency Government, the Ministry of Religion, MUI, Islamic community organizations, leaders of Islamic boarding schools, religious scholars, religious leaders, women leaders and community leaders.

The event carried the theme "Strengthening the Role and Function of the IPHI Organization to Achieve a Lifetime of Accepted Hajj." This theme also emphasized the direction of the new IPHI management, ensuring it can translate the values of accepted Hajj into concrete actions within the community.

Based on the committee's report, 63 members of the IPHI Ciamis Regency Regional Management and 23 members of the IPHI Ciamis Regency Women's Taklim Council were inaugurated for the 2026–2031 term. The event was also attended by approximately 1,200 invited guests, consisting of representatives of IPHI sub-districts, the congregation of the Raudlatunnisa Taklim Council of the Great Mosque of Ciamis, the Heads of the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) throughout Ciamis Regency, and representatives of Islamic community organizations.

Herdiat Sunarya also conveyed his congratulations and emphasized that the mandate of the IPHI management is not just a position in the organization, but a responsibility to serve the community, maintain the brotherhood of the pilgrims and bring benefits to the community.

"This mandate is not just a position within an organization, but a responsibility to serve the community, maintain the brotherhood of the Hajj pilgrims, and bring benefits to the community, especially in Ciamis Regency," said the Regent.

The Regent hopes that the IPHI management for the 2026–2031 period will become a great home for the brotherhood, guidance, and devotion of the Hajj pilgrims. He believes IPHI's role needs to be strengthened not only through ceremonial activities, but also through planned, inclusive programs that address the real needs of the congregation.

Therefore, the Ciamis Regency Government is encouraging the new IPHI management to strengthen consolidation down to the sub-district and village levels, improve post-Hajj guidance, and develop community social and economic activities.

In addition, synergy with the Regional Government, the Ministry of Religion, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Islamic community organizations, and various other stakeholders is also considered important so that IPHI's contribution is increasingly felt by the community.

The IPHI Women's Islamic Study Group (Majelis Taklim) in Ciamis Regency also plays a strategic role. The Regent hopes that the IPHI Women's Islamic Study Group (Majelis Taklim IPHI) will not only serve as a space for religious learning but also develop into a platform for family strengthening and a social movement that will provide broad benefits.

"Women have a crucial role in instilling morals, strengthening family resilience, increasing religious literacy, and fostering awareness of education, health, the environment, and community welfare," she said.

According to the Regent, the existence of MTP IPHI can be directed to become a friendly empowerment center for all generations, so that the contribution of women in social and religious development in Ciamis Regency becomes stronger.

The inauguration, which was combined with the Tasyakur (celebration) of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, also became a momentum to bring together religious values with the spirit of nationalism.

The Regent assessed that the values contained in the Hajj pilgrimage, such as equality, brotherhood, order, sacrifice and concern, are in line with the spirit of building the nation.
The Hajj pilgrims are expected to be able to unite the community, maintain harmony and drive mutual cooperation in the development of Ciamis Regency.

Meanwhile, the commemoration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW is a reminder that all IPHI administrators should emulate the morals of the Prophet in carrying out the mandate of the organization, especially through an attitude of trustworthiness, politeness, fairness and compassion towards others.

On the same occasion, the 51st anniversary of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) served as a momentum to further strengthen the synergy between ulama (Islamic scholars), umara (religious leaders), and the community. The Ciamis Regency Government views collaboration between IPHI, MUI, and the local government as crucial for achieving public welfare and addressing the challenges of the times through calming, moderate, and solution-oriented preaching.

Closing his remarks, the Regent of Ciamis invited all newly inaugurated administrators to use this momentum as the beginning of increasingly solid, productive and impactful service for the community.

"I believe that with sincere intentions, trustworthy leadership, and the togetherness of all elements, IPHI and the IPHI Women's Taklim Council of Ciamis Regency will progress further and be able to realize a lifelong Hajj mabrur," he concluded.

This inauguration is expected not to stop as a ceremony for changing management, but to be the starting point for strengthening IPHI's role as a strategic partner of the government in building community life, strengthening brotherhood and providing benefits for the people of Ciamis Regency.

(Ciamis Communications and Information Service/rka)