2,211 Pilgrims from Riau Have Returned Home

Pekanbaru (ANTARA) - A total of 2,211 hajj pilgrims from Riau Province have returned to their homeland, comprising 2,178 pilgrims, 10 Regional Hajj Officers (PHD), three supervisors from the Hajj and Umrah Worship Guidance Group (KBIHU), and 20 flight group officers.

The Head of the Riau Province Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Regional Office, Defizon, in Pekanbaru on Wednesday, stated that the final group, flight group BTH-07, arrived safely at Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam on Tuesday (9/6) at 00.30 Western Indonesia Time.

According to him, the repatriation process for flight group BTH-07 was safe, smooth, and on schedule.

‘Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims of flight group BTH-07 have arrived safely at the Batam debarkation point. We are grateful that the entire journey from the Holy Land back to the homeland proceeded well. May all the pilgrims always be blessed with health and achieve the status of mabrur hajj,’ he said.

Defizon explained that flight group BTH-07 consisted of 437 pilgrims, two PHD, and four flight group officers, making a total of 443 people arriving with this group. During the repatriation process, there were several changes to the pilgrim manifest due to flight group adjustments.

Additionally, a pilgrim named Roni Ansari was transferred to flight group BTH-06.

He noted that flight group mutations are a common occurrence in hajj pilgrimage operations and are carried out to adjust service needs and the conditions of pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia up to the repatriation process.

‘We continue to coordinate with all embarkation and debarkation officers to ensure optimal service for the pilgrims. Flight group mutations are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and have been well-handled so as not to disrupt the comfort or safety of the pilgrims,’ he explained.

Defizon also advised pilgrims who have returned home to maintain their health after completing the long and exhausting series of hajj rituals.