Final Batch of Makassar Hajj Embarkation Departs for Mecca

Final batch of Makassar Embarkation Departs for Mecca

Ikbal Ismail, head of the Hajj Organising Task Force (PPIH) at Makassar Embarkation, personally sent off kloter 43—the final group of pilgrims—from Makassar to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

‘Alhamdulillah, the series of processes for receiving and dispatching the pilgrims for the year 2026 AH / 1447 H has been completed and thoroughly finished,’ he said in Makassar, as quoted by Antara on Thursday (21 May).

Kloter 43 is a joint batch from three provinces: South Sulawesi (Sulsel), North Maluku (Malut) and Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra).

Ismail said PPIH Sulsel dispatched pilgrims from ten regencies and cities, including Wajo Regency with 112 pilgrims, Gowa Regency with 46 pilgrims; Maros 13; Bulukumba 17; Pangkep 9; Pinrang 6; Soppeng 8; Tana Toraja 7; Takalar 5; and Makassar City 1 pilgrim.

From North Maluku there are 4 pilgrims remaining, and from Southeast Sulawesi 15 pilgrims, including 3 accompanying persons and haj guides; the total remains 246 pilgrims.

In his address, Ismail expressed appreciation to all officers and parties supporting the departure up to the final wave of the Makassar Embarkation. ‘Kloter 43 is a Nusantara batch because it includes pilgrims from ten regencies in Sulsel, together with pilgrims from Southeast Sulawesi and Maluku,’ he said.

Ismail stressed the importance of pilgrims understanding the manasik procedures, especially the difference between haji ifrad and haji tamattu’. He explained that pilgrims performing hajj ifrad will intend to undertake hajj on the plane about an hour before landing in Jeddah. ‘For ifrad pilgrims, the intention is directly for hajj. Meanwhile, tamattu’ pilgrims intend to perform Umrah first as they pass Yalamlam on the plane,’ he said.

He also asked the pilgrimage mentors to remind pilgrims about the timing and method of making the niat (intention) during the journey to the Holy Land. He noted that tamattu’ pilgrims will later enter ihram for hajj on 8 Zulhijjah after completing Umrah and removing the ihram clothing.