137,000 Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Return from Mina to Mecca

MAKKAH, KOMPAS.com - The return of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who opted for nafar awal from Mina to Mecca proceeded smoothly on Friday (29 May 2026), or 12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 H. Approximately 137,000 pilgrims have gradually returned to their respective hotels. Harun Arrasyid Usman, Coordinator of the Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina Operations Unit (Satop Armuzna), stated that a total of 137,565 pilgrims were repatriated to Mecca. “The first group departing for nafar awal was JKB 11 from Centre 74, with the initial departure time at 07:05 WAS,” Harun said on Friday (29 May 2026). “The last group for nafar awal was UPG 22 from Centre 50, departing at 16:30 WAS,” he added. Based on operational recap data, over half of Indonesian pilgrims opted for nafar awal. The mobilisation of pilgrims from Mina to Mecca is ongoing. “Total pilgrims departing today for nafar awal is 137,565, accounting for 68 per cent,” Harun explained. “We confirm all nafar awal pilgrims have arrived at their respective hotels,” he added. Departure for nafar awal has a strict deadline before sunset. “They must leave Mina before gurubusyamsi, or sunset,” Zaenal emphasised. If pilgrims have not departed by maghrib time, they automatically switch to nafar tsani, even if their schedule was for nafar awal. Approximately 20,000 pilgrims are part of the tanazul scheme, facilitated to return directly and rest at Mecca hotels. To minimise crowd congestion, the Saudi government previously issued regulations on jumrah throwing times in Mina. On 11 Dhu al-Hijjah, the stoning ritual was split into two waves: Session I from 17:00 to 24:00 WAS, followed by Session II on 12 Dhu al-Hijjah from 00:00 to 04:00 WAS. For pilgrims staying in Mina for nafar tsani, the jumrah throwing schedule on 13 Dhu al-Hijjah is allocated from 05:00 to 12:00 WAS.