Group 43 Nusantara Concludes Makassar Embarkation Departure; Ifrad Pilgrims Forbidden to Remove Ihram Until Completion

The departure of Hajj pilgrims from Makassar Embarkation (UPG) for the 1447 H/2026 M season has officially closed with the departure of Flight Group (Kloter) 43 UPG in the early hours of Thursday, 21 May. Uniquely, this final group is nicknamed the Nusantara Group because it brings together pilgrims from three provinces, 10 regencies in South Sulawesi (Sulsel), Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), and Maluku. At the closing moment, the Chairman of the Hajj Implementation Committee (PPIH) of Makassar Embarkation, H. Ikbal Ismail, delivered a single serious message. Indeed, this group marks the final completion of Sulawesi’s hajj departures for the year. Group 43 UPG is not an ordinary group. Ikbal Ismail described it as the Nusantara Group because it includes pilgrims from three provinces, 10 regencies in Sulsel, Sultra, and Maluku. “This is the most diverse group. It includes representatives from almost all eastern Indonesia,” he said in his remarks. Present at the send-off were the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Southeast Sulawesi, H. Muhammad Lalan Jaya, and the Head of the Administration Section of Kemenhaj Sulsel, H. Muflihuddin Syam. They accompanied the pilgrims to the last moments of departure. Amid the flight preparations, Ikbal Ismail provided guidance on the procedures for pronouncing the niyat of ihram. He reminded that pilgrims are divided into two patterns, and a mistake in one intention can alter the course of their worship in the Holy Land. He explained in detail. For Hajj pilgrims of the Ifrad rite, the intention is for Hajj directly. They must keep wearing the ihram garments from that moment until the entire Hajj pilgrimage is completed. For Hajj Tamattu’, the intention is Umrah first, and they may remove the ihram after Umrah is completed, then assume ihram again on the 8th Zulhijjah for Hajj. “Do not follow friends who are Tamattu’ in removing the ihram if you are Ifrad. Hajj Ifrad cannot remove the ihram clothing until everything is finished,” he warned firmly, anticipating confusion on the ground. Not only the intention, Ikbal also reminded a fundamental but often overlooked matter, namely guarding modesty while in ihram. Because male pilgrims are wrapped only in two pieces of white cloth, the risk of exposing the modesty is high, especially when sleeping or using the toilet. “Because we are only wrapped in ihram clothing, please guard your modesty carefully. Do not let yourselves be wrapped up while sleeping, let alone when going to the toilet. This is part of maintaining the sanctity of worship,” he said. At the end of his remarks, Ikbal Ismail hoped that Group 43 UPG, which closes the Hajj season, would serve as a model group. He asked all pilgrims to maintain their health, follow the guidance of the officials, and focus on worship in the Holy Land. “Safe journey in performing the Hajj. May it be a blessed Hajj (haji mabrour). Thanks to all the staff who faithfully accompanied until the last group,” Ikbal concluded, met with the takbir from the pilgrims as they prepared to board the plane. With the departure of Group 43 UPG, the Makassar Embarkation officially completed its Hajj departure duties for the 1447 H/2026 M season. Now all attention is on the return process of the pilgrims in the coming weeks. (H-2) PPIH highlights the need for strict evaluation of health checks in the regions, particularly in cases of dementia deemed not to meet istithaah eligibility from the outset. The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) of Makassar Embarkation confiscated dozens of prohibited items from the cabin bags of prospective Hajj pilgrims (JCH) during X-ray screening at Sudiang Hajj Dormitory. The 2026 Hajj group at Makassar Embarkation received a visit from a member of the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII, who said the services at the embarkation were good. The planned departure of two 2026 pilgrims from Soppeng Regency in Group 21 of Makassar Embarkation had to be postponed due to health conditions. Nurhayati Laraufe, 55, underwent an amputation. A representative of the Saudi government expressed appreciation for the service of the Hajj Arranging Officers (PPIH) at Makassar Embarkation. PPIH reiterates the need for strict evaluation of health checks in the regions, particularly for dementia cases deemed not to meet istithaah requirements from the outset.