Bangkalan Hajj Pilgrims Delayed in Receiving Meals at Mina
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has commented on reports that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims from Bangkalan did not receive meals due to distribution issues in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from the Bangkalan group SUB-72 were reportedly delayed in receiving food during their stay in Mina.
Ministry spokesperson Ichsan Marsha stated the incident occurred on the first day of pilgrims’ arrival in Mina on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. An on-site investigation found discrepancies in the meal distribution procedures between the contractor and the consumption supervisors at Markaz 71.
“The meals, which should have been handed over to the consumption supervisors for distribution to pilgrims, were instead placed by the contractor in the middle of the alley without notifying the responsible officers,” Marsha said in a written statement on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
He added that the absence of standard delivery documentation made it difficult for supervisors to track which groups had received meals. To ensure all pilgrims were fed, supervisors conducted on-site checks of each tent and redistributed meals to those who had not received them.
Marsha clarified that the issue was not due to a lack of food but a procedural error in the distribution process. He confirmed meals were available, but the handover protocol was not followed, leading to unrecorded deliveries.
“The supervisors had to check each tent individually to confirm all pilgrims received their meals,” he said. The ministry has coordinated with the contractor to review and improve distribution procedures to prevent recurrence.
“We have instructed the contractor to ensure all meal distributions follow procedures, including notifying consumption supervisors and maintaining clear handover records,” Marsha added. “This is crucial for accurate monitoring and timely fulfilment of pilgrims’ rights.”
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also praised the swift response of on-site officers who verified and redistributed meals to ensure all pilgrims were served.