12 Hajj Groups in Madinah to Begin Entering Makkah

MADINAH, KOMPAS.com - The first wave of Indonesian hajj pilgrims in Madinah will begin moving to Makkah on 30 April 2026. This is to prepare for the peak of the hajj in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). The Head of the Makkah Regional Office of the Hajj Organising Officers (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, Ihsan Faisal, assured that all service infrastructure, from accommodation to transportation, is ready to welcome the guests of Allah. “The data we have, Insya Allah, includes 12 groups that will depart from Madinah to Makkah,” said Ihsan, after the morning roll call at the Makkah Regional Office, Wednesday (29/4/2026). Bus departures are only permitted between 07:00 and 18:00 Saudi Arabia Time (WAS). This regulation is in place for the comfort and safety of the pilgrims during the journey. “The departure of pilgrims from Madinah is carried out via intercity buses,” he stated. The group from Yogyakarta Embarkation (YIA 01), carrying pilgrims from Kulonprogo Regency, will be the first to move from Madinah to Makkah. This will be followed by the group from Jakarta-Pondok Gede Embarkation (JKG 01). “Group YIA 1 will depart from Madinah at 07:00 in the morning and is scheduled to arrive in Makkah around 13:00 local time,” he explained. Before arriving in Makkah, all pilgrims will make a brief stop at Bir Ali or Dzulhulaifah to take the miqat for ihram as a requirement for performing the obligatory umrah.