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Return of 18 haj pilgrims delayed due to illness
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Showing gratitude: Haj pilgrims from Banjarnegara, Central Java, bow their heads to the ground shortly after arriving at Soemarmo International Airport in Boyolali, on Sept.7. (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho)
E
ighteen Indonesian haj pilgrims that departed from the Surakarta embarkation point, Central Java, cannot return home yet as they must undergo medical treatment due to illness.
The pilgrims are being treated at hospitals in four cities – Jeddah, Madinah, Mecca and Thaif -- in Saudi Arabia.
According to Religious Affairs Ministry data, 23,156 haj pilgrims from the Surakarta embarkation point have returned home. Meanwhile, 97 pilgrims from the embarkation point are recorded to have passed away in this year’s haj season.
“[Except the 18 people] all haj pilgrims from the Surakarta embarkation point have all returned to their hometowns. Djamaatin Asrorijah Mukmin, 79, a pilgrim from Wonosobo regency, left Mecca earlier on a regular flight,” Surakarta office of the Indonesian Haj Management Committee (PPIH) spokesperson Afief Undzir said on Wednesday.
He said the return of the haj pilgrims ran smoothly. As soon as they arrived at Adi Soemarmo International Airport, Surakarta, the pilgrims were taken to the Donohudan haj dormitory by bus to undergo health checks.
“Sumardi Sumargo Hadimulyono, 54, a pilgrim from Batang regency, has been referred to Dr Moewardi Regional General Hospital for health reasons,” said Afief.
He said 92 out of 97 pilgrims who passed away in this year’s haj season died in Saudi Arabia while four others died during their flight home. One pilgrim died at the Donohudan haj dormitory before departure. (ebf)
