First Group of Indonesian Special Hajj Pilgrims Arrives in Madinah
Madinah (ANTARA) - Saudi Hajj Organising Officers (PPIH) stated that the first group of special Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia, who will perform the Hajj rites with a shorter stay compared to regular pilgrims, arrived in Madinah on Saturday.
The arrival of the special pilgrims, grouped under the Special Hajj Organiser (PIHK) Patuna Travel, was around 11:00 WIB through the international terminal of Prince Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport, with the group totalling 42 people, consisting of 39 pilgrims accompanied by three officers.
The group’s arrival was welcomed by the PPIH Saudi Arabia Airport Work Area (Daker) and the special Hajj supervision team of Daker Madinah.
The Hajj worship guide for the pilgrims, Patuna Ahmad Saifuddin, said that they are bringing pilgrims who will have the opportunity to stay in Madinah for 10 nights.
“Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims from Patuna Travel are the first group. During our stay in Madinah, we will undergo the Arbain programme for approximately eight to 10 nights. The pilgrims are very enthusiastic to reconnect and meet the Prophet Muhammad SAW in his birthplace; as guides, we will provide accompaniment so that their presence truly absorbs what the Prophet taught in life,” he said.
“In our itinerary, while in Muzdalifah, we will take the murur scheme or pass through after midnight, then proceed to Makkah for tawaf ifadah, sai, and initial tahalul. The total Hajj journey will be approximately 30 days,” he added.
The Madinah Airport Coordinator for Patuna Travel, Ayman Sofyan, stated that overall, there are 1,000 special Hajj pilgrim members departing this year.
“Today’s arrival is the first for the Patuna group. For Patuna’s Special Hajj this year, we have 1,100 passengers, divided into 26 buses,” he said.
Compared to the 40-day stay for regular Hajj in Saudi Arabia, he said the special Hajj stay is shorter.
“Their activities are shorter. For Arbain, they stay for 10 days in Madinah, while other packages stay for four days. After that, they move to Makkah to perform the Hajj rites and return to the homeland,” he said.
The Head of PPIH Saudi Arabia Daker Airport, Abdul Basir, stated that special Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia will arrive in waves every day, both in Madinah and Jeddah.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is also supervising the organisation of the special Hajj.
“We are also continuing to supervise the services of PIHK, from accommodation, catering, to worship guidance and other rights that pilgrims must receive,” he said.
The Deputy Director of Special Hajj Supervision at the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organiser Control, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dani Pramudya, said the waiting period for special Hajj departures is shorter than for regular Hajj, which reaches 26 years.
“The special Hajj queue time is five years for some and six years for others. Then, the duration of the pilgrimage is shorter,” he said.