First Batch of 378 Hajj Pilgrims Arrives in Surabaya

378 Hajj pilgrims from the first batch of the 2026 Hajj arrived in Surabaya, out of a total of 380 pilgrims and officials who departed for the Holy Land. ‘One pilgrim passed away before the Hajj rites, leading to the cancellation of their departure and full entitlement of insurance and certificate. Another pilgrim is ill and receiving treatment,’ said Mohammad As’dul Anam, Chairman of the Surabaya Hajj Departure Committee (PPIH), during the arrival of the first batch of pilgrims from Probolinggo Regency at Surabaya Hajj Dormitory on Monday (1/6) evening. Indonesian pilgrim Abdul Djalal is currently receiving treatment at Al-Noor Hospital in Saudi Arabia. He will be repatriated on a subsequent flight group once his condition allows travel. ‘We will monitor his progress. If he recovers, he will be included in the next flight group,’ he said. Hajj pilgrims arriving at Surabaya Departure Point use a seamless corridor system integrated with immigration and health checks, streamlining the arrival process. ‘With this service, pilgrims no longer need to unpack their bags to present their passports for stamping upon arrival in the home country,’ he added. The seamless corridor system is operational in two regions in Indonesia: Jakarta and East Java. Additionally, 34 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have reportedly passed away in Saudi Arabia. He explained that heirs of deceased pilgrims will receive insurance payouts equivalent to the Hajj Travel Costs (BPIH) as per regulations. ‘Insha’Allah, the process will be completed before their flight group departs,’ he said. Hundreds of pilgrims are no longer burdened by administrative procedures and checks. Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, saw off the first batch of 445 Hajj pilgrims from Batam Embarkation Point to Madinah, focusing on senior and disability-friendly services. 423 Hajj pilgrims from South and Central Kalimantan provinces began arriving at Syamsudin Noor Departure Point in Banjarbaru on Sunday (15/6). Following the Days of Tashriq on 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of Hajj pilgrims are expected to complete the Tawaf ritual. According to the arrival schedule, Flight Group 1 carrying pilgrims from Probolinggo Regency will land for the first time at 8:25 PM WIB. The Ministry of Hajj has commenced the first wave of repatriation for 2026 Hajj pilgrims via Jeddah. Pilgrims are prohibited from carrying Zamzam water in luggage and advised to maintain their health. According to Jaenal, commercial areas are being managed through more measured tenant arrangements to accommodate pilgrims’ needs. Samsimar, an 82-year-old Hajj pilgrim from Batam, expressed missing rendang and jokingly wanted to matchmake a hotel worker in Mecca with his child upon return. (Antara/H-4)