378 Hajj Pilgrims from NTT Return Home, Two Remain Hospitalised in Medina

Hajj pilgrims from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are gradually returning to their home regions after completing their pilgrimage in the Holy Land. The arrivals are being processed through the Surabaya Debarkation point before the pilgrims continue their journeys to NTT. Kloter SUB 80 Worship Guide Maskur Kadir stated that the group arrived in Surabaya on schedule and was received at the Sukolilo Hajj Dormitory. “We arrived in Surabaya around 5.30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time and were well received at the Sukolilo Debarkation Hajj Dormitory. After that, the pilgrims were handed over to their respective regional officers to continue the journey home,” Maskur said. According to him, almost all NTT pilgrims have now left Surabaya and returned to their respective districts. The repatriation process began with Kabupaten Alor and continued with other districts. On the morning flight to Kupang, seven districts were dispatched on a single aircraft. All pilgrims on that flight arrived safely and were received by the local committees. Meanwhile, four other regions—Kota Kupang, Kabupaten Kupang, Malaka, and Rote Ndao—are scheduled to depart on a subsequent flight from Surabaya to Kupang. Maskur explained that pilgrims awaiting their departure schedule are using the time to rest and are being provided with meals before entering the departure lounge. For pilgrims from Kota Kupang and surrounding areas, the group is scheduled to be officially received at the Kupang Transit Hajj Dormitory before being released to their families. Regarding the health condition of the pilgrims, Maskur reported that out of the total 380 pilgrims in Kloter SUB 80, 378 have returned with the group. Two other pilgrims are still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Medina due to health issues. “Alhamdulillah, the condition of both has improved. The latest information we received is that they will be repatriated on a subsequent flight once they are declared fit to fly,” he explained. Overall, the total number of Hajj pilgrims from NTT this year reached 533 people, consisting of 516 regular quota and 17 additional quota. The pilgrims were divided into two flight groups: Kloter SUB 80 containing 380 NTT pilgrims and Kloter SUB 81 which joined with pilgrims from Sumenep Regency, East Java. Maskur expressed hope that all returning pilgrims can uphold the values gained during the Hajj rituals and become role models within their communities.