Chronology of the Discovery of the Missing Indonesian Hajj Pilgrim
An Indonesian Hajj pilgrim who had been reported missing was found by Saudi Arabian troops on patrol in Jabal Kudai, Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The 72-year-old pilgrim, Muhammad Firdaus, from the JKG 27 cohort, had been reported missing since 15 May from the hotel where he was staying.
Muftiono, retired Colonel and Head of the Protection of Pilgrims (PPIH) of the Hajj Organisers in Saudi Arabia 2026, said the deceased was found at Jabal Uhud on Friday at 02:00 Saudi time. ‘He was found in Jabal Kudai, near the accommodation about 1.5 to 2 kilometres away. He was found by Saudi soldiers on patrol,’ Muftiono said in a video received by Tempo on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
Mohammad Hasan Afandi, Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, confirmed the chronology of the discovery and permitted Tempo to quote the video. ‘The deceased was found deceased by the Saudi security authorities. This information was then relayed to the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah and to us,’ Hasan told Tempo on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
Representing the Saudi PPIH, Hasan offered condolences for Firdaus’s death. He also expressed thanks to the family of the deceased, KJRI Jeddah, Saudi authorities, the Saudi hospitals, the hajj staff who conducted the search, and all Indonesians who prayed during the course of the search.
In addition, Hasan said the government through the PPIH in Saudi Arabia will arrange a badal haji for the deceased. The badal haji will be carried out by hajj officers.
‘Badal haji’ is the practice of appointing someone to perform the Hajj on behalf of a person who has died before performing Hajj or who is unable due to serious illness.
Hasan also called on pilgrims and staff to increase their care for one another, particularly the elderly, disabled, women, and those with certain health conditions. ‘Every pilgrim and staff should be more aware if they see a pilgrim walking alone, looking confused, exhausted, or separated from the group,’ he said. ‘If you see a pilgrim who does not know the direction or needs help, accompany them to the nearest service post or report to the sector or cohort staff,’ Hasan added.
Hasan reminded not to leave pilgrims walking alone without accompaniment, especially those who require more attention.
Muhammad Firdaus was reported missing after not returning to his lodging since Friday, 15 May 2026. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ichsan Marsha, said they received the missing report via Kanal Kawal Haji a day later, on Saturday, 16 May 2026.
According to the latest information, Firdaus left the lodging without carrying identification. He was seen wearing a white T-shirt and a sarong. The government promptly collected CCTV footage and information from other pilgrims. ‘And from the hotel CCTV at 09:04 Saudi time, he left the hotel alone without any form of identification other than the Hajj bracelet, wearing white clothing and a black sarong,’ Ichsan said.
Ichsan said the hotel lobby at that time was quiet because most pilgrims had prepared and departed to carry out Friday prayers.
Since the report of the missing person was received, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah formed several teams. One team combed from place to place, from one hotel to another, and through the areas around Masjid al-Haram. Another team was mobilised to search the streets to assist in the search.
Later, the Saudi Pilgrim Protection Team (linjam) was deployed from Madinah. ‘The search phase continued as far as hospitals, both in Makkah and in hospitals outside the city of Mecca,’ said Ichsan.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to this article.