E-Prosiding Persidangan Serantau Manasik Haji 2025 (MANASIK2025)

MANASIK2025 Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7-8 Oktober 2025 665 Implications for Curriculum and Learning The internship program as a mutawwif in Saudi Arabia carries significant implications for the development of curriculum and teaching methods in higher education, particularly in study programs oriented toward pilgrimage management. The profession of mutawwif holds a strategic role in ensuring the comfort, order, and smooth implementation of worship for pilgrims from departure to return (FLSUHK, 2025). Findings from the internship program revealed that overseas field experience significantly strengthens the integration between theory and practice in Hajj and Umrah management. Such experiences also contribute to reinforcing religious values, fostering ethical service to pilgrims, and increasing students’ awareness of the importance of social responsibility (Rahman, 2025). Furthermore, the implementation of this internship highlights the urgency of curriculum adjustments to make it more relevant to industry needs. This includes revisiting course materials, improving practice-based learning methods, and integrating technology into the learning process. Strengthening the curriculum in this way is expected to produce graduates who not only possess technical and professional competencies but are also spiritually prepared to serve pilgrims holistically (Humas, 2025). CONCLUSION Based on the observations and experiences gained during the international internship program, it can be concluded that the role of the mutawwif is highly crucial in ensuring the smooth performance of pilgrimages, particularly in unexpected situations that require accuracy in decision-making. In particular, cross-cultural communication skills, proficiency in colloquial Arabic dialects, and the ability to manage crisis situations are essential aspects that significantly influence the effectiveness of guidance in the field. Overall, this internship provided a concrete illustration of the complexity of the role of pilgrimage guides, which not only demands religious knowledge but also social skills, leadership, and mental preparedness.