After Delays, Second Wave of Hajj Pilgrims Finally Return Home to Indonesia

MADINAH — Officials from the Madinah Hajj Working Area (Daker) waved goodbye as Indonesian Hajj pilgrims departed their accommodation in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday (15/6/2026) at 19:00 local time. The 444 pilgrims from Kloter KJT 21 were the first group of the second wave to begin their journey home. They were scheduled to fly from Amir Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport at 00:20 on flight SV5185. Officials were visibly emotional as they bid farewell to the pilgrims who had spent nine days in Madinah. “We pray that all pilgrims attain a mabrur Hajj, arrive home safely, and are reunited with their families,” said Ranita Erlanti Harahap, Head of the Hajj Media Centre in Madinah, who was present for the send-off. The pilgrims were transported in nine buses, with the journey from Sector 1 Madinah to the airport taking approximately 30 minutes. They will wait at the airport for administrative processing. Head of Sector 1 Madinah, Ramlan Sudarto, said the departure process went smoothly. “There were some technical issues because the schedule overlapped with pilgrims from India and Pakistan. Overall, the return process from the accommodation went well,” he said after all the buses had departed. Preparations for the pilgrims’ return began two hours earlier, with luggage having been weighed two days prior. This readiness helped facilitate the departure process. He urged pilgrims preparing to return to adhere to the departure and push schedules. “We must wait for the plane, not the plane waiting for us,” he said.