68% of Indonesian Haj Pilgrims opt for early departure
A total of 132,568 Indonesian haj pilgrims who chose early departure began moving from MINA tent camps to Mecca on Friday morning (29 May) or 12 Dhul-Hijjah 1447H. Movement started at 06:00 Saudi time using bus fleets.
‘By 7am, Indonesian haj pilgrims will have begun leaving MINA,’ said Deputy MINA Task Force head Zaenal Muttaqin to the Hajj media centre team on Friday (29 May).
Zaenal detailed that 68% of the total quota, or approximately 132,568 pilgrims, opted for early departure today.
Of the 527 flight groups (kloter), 424 are scheduled to vacate tents on Friday (29 May) after completing overnight stays and stoning rituals at the Jamarat pillars Aqaba, Ula, and Wustha during the Tasyrik days.
‘For today, the last departure is expected by 14:00, with efforts to complete by 17:00,’ Zaenal added.
Hajj Implementation Committee (PPIH) authorities urged all early departure pilgrims to strictly follow the schedule. Those remaining in MINA past sunset will automatically stay overnight until Saturday (30 May) or 13 Dhul-Hijjah, under the second departure plan.
‘They must exit MINA before sunset,’ Zaenal said.
Meanwhile, PPIH data showed approximately 20,000 pilgrims participating in the tanazul programme, which skips overnight stays in MINA and returns directly to Mecca hotels after Arafah and Muzdalifah rituals.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs previously issued stoning schedules to ensure smooth pilgrim movement.
Thousands of Indonesian haj pilgrims who chose early departure completed stoning rituals on 12 Dhul-Hijjah and began returning to Mecca.
The entire hajj process for pilgrims from Brebes regency, Central Java, in kloter SOC 08 Solo has been declared complete.
Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) in Kulon Pro regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, is now ready to welcome this year’s first haj pilgrims.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Father Muhammad Syafii praised 2026 hajj service improvements, including transportation and breakthroughs in the Arafah, Muzdalifah, and MINA route.
The Haj Oversight team of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) received crucial input regarding increased medical staff quotas and medical equipment upgrades for Indonesian haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.