Governor urges 142 prospective Hajj pilgrims from West Papua to uphold the nation's and region's good name
Manokwari (ANTARA) - West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan has urged 142 prospective Hajj pilgrims from the province to always uphold the good name of the nation and region while performing the Hajj pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
All pilgrims are obliged to uphold high discipline, comply with applicable regulations in Saudi Arabia, respect one another, and behave courteously as representatives of West Papuan society on the international stage.
Dominggus advised each pilgrim to enhance their devotion during the Hajj with sincere intentions, while also paying attention to their health to return to the homeland on schedule.
Prospective Hajj pilgrims are also expected to quickly adapt to the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia while improving communication with their flight group officials (kloter), health personnel, and regional Hajj officers.
“May all pilgrims be granted physical and spiritual strength as well as health during the Hajj pilgrimage,” he said.
Head of the West Papua Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for Hajj and Umrah, H Aziz Hegemur, explained that the pilgrims will be sent to the Makassar Embarkation in South Sulawesi on 7 and 8 May 2026, entering the Hajj dormitory.
The West Papua prospective Hajj pilgrims come from Manokwari Regency with 88 people, Fakfak 17 people, Kaimana and Teluk Bintuni each 16 people, South Manokwari 3 people, and Teluk Wondama 2 people.
“The youngest pilgrim is 17 years old from Teluk Bintuni Regency,” he said.
His side reminded prospective Hajj pilgrims not to manipulate health examination results, as the government has implemented layered istithaah or health fitness checks from the regional level to the embarkation dormitory.
Public interest in performing the Hajj remains high, reflected in the waiting list number in West Papua reaching 5,533 people with an average waiting period of around 22 years.
“Insya Allah, all prospective pilgrims have completed the Hajj travel costs. We continue to urge them to maintain physical fitness,” he said.