397 Hajj Pilgrims from Mataram Depart, Doctor Reminds to Reduce Spicy Food Intake

The Mataram City Government released 397 prospective Hajj pilgrims (JCH) from Mataram for the first time, in the courtyard of the Mayor’s Office on Sunday (26/4/2026). From detikBali’s observations, thousands of residents crowded to accompany the departure of the 397 JCH from Mataram City to the Holy Land. Some cried, while others were happily moved. “We are very touched to see our family off to the Holy Land, alhamdulillah they can depart this year. May they return in good health and we can gather together again,” said Aziz, one of the Mataram residents, on Sunday (26/4/2026). In agreement, Sapriandi, a resident of Babakan, Mataram City, also joined in enlivening the first release of JCH from Mataram at the Mayor’s Office. “I just escorted my sibling-in-law, we came here in a large group. There are about 30 people joining. We join in praying for them to always be healthy and return to the homeland in good health. We also entrust prayers that we can be called to the Holy Land,” he said. Mataram Mayor Mohan Roliskana advised the pilgrims to guard their speech while in the Holy Land, so as not to disturb the perfection of their worship. Mohan also hoped that the pilgrims could return to the homeland in good health and become accepted Hajj pilgrims. “We pray that you, Sir and Madam, are always protected, return to the homeland in good health so you can gather with your family without missing anyone. We wish you a blessed Hajj pilgrimage, Insyaallah becoming accepted Hajj pilgrims,” said Mohan on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Head of the Hajj Ministry Office in Mataram City, Khairul Hadi, stated that there are 397 JCH grouped into kloter 5. The breakdown includes 74 elderly pilgrims over 65 years old, 313 elderly (noted as potentially a duplication or clarification for total elderly). Female pilgrims number 215, male pilgrims 178. “The oldest pilgrim is Dakwiah Muhamad, aged 87, from Karang Baru, and the youngest is Lalu Fasya Abiyyu Ramdhani from Gomong Barat, Mataram,” said Khairul. “In this kloter 5, there are 94 pilgrims with high risk, 56 with medium risk, 101 with low risk. Meanwhile, about 25 use wheelchairs,” he added. Tips to Avoid Heat Stroke To avoid heat stroke (a condition where the body experiences a drastic increase in temperature) during Hajj, the Deputy Director of Services at Mataram City General Hospital, Tris Cahyoso, shared tips. These include getting plenty of rest and consuming vitamins and multivitamins while in the Holy Land. “It’s best to rest for a week before departing, get plenty of sleep, consume vitamins and multivitamins. For pilgrims who have arrived in Madinah or Mecca, they should drink a lot,” he said, when interviewed at the pilgrim send-off on Sunday. “In Mecca, the conditions are dry, while here the humidity is 80 percent, there it’s 20-30 percent. That’s why we must drink water frequently, at least 2 litres,” he continued. In addition to sufficient rest and increasing consumption of plain water and vitamins, Tris reminded pilgrims to avoid spicy food during the worship in the Holy Land. “If possible, limit it, don’t do it too often. Especially for high-risk (RISTI) ones, rest frequently, don’t force it if going to the mosque. If feeling tired, try to rest first, don’t push it,” he explained.