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Thousands of Indonesians arrive in Saudi Arabia for haj
A Muslim pilgrim from Jakarta died shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia for the annual haj, which resumed after a two-year ban on inbound international participants.
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Rows of worshipers pray at the Masjidil Haram grand mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, on Dec. 30, 2021, following the imposition of new haj restrictions due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Following the relaxation of restrictions this year, Indonesia is expected to send 100,000 Muslims to embark on the religious pilgrimage. (AFP/-)
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housands of Indonesian Muslims have arrived in Saudi Arabia this week, marking the return of the important haj that many have eagerly waited two pandemic-fueled years to observe. But the occasion was also marred by the death of a pilgrim, underscoring the need for continued and vigilant health monitoring.
The first batch of pilgrims departed to Saudi Arabia from Surakarta, Central Java, at midnight on Saturday and arrived later that day in Medina. This batch was followed by the arrival of six other groups all through Sunday, hailing from Jakarta, Surabaya in East Java and Padang, West Sumatra.
A total of 5,920 pilgrims and government officials are now in Medina, with over 2,000 more expected to depart on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin saw off pilgrims from Surabaya and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas offered well wishes to travelers from Jakarta, while Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi hosted send-offs for pilgrims from Surakarta and Padang, respectively.
Upon their arrival, the first batch of pilgrims was greeted by the Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Ahmad, as well as the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Eko Hartono.
“I feel very happy. It has been a long wait for many Indonesians [to go on the haj], especially after being delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Abdul said at the Medina Airport on Saturday, according to a ministry press statement.
He went on to say that Indonesian pilgrims should look after their own health and follow protocols for the entire duration of their pilgrimage.
