Hajj Peak Concludes, Deputy Minister Urges Officials Not to Relax Services for Pilgrims
The repatriation phase for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to the homeland officially commenced on Monday (1/6). The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has requested all Hajj officials to continue providing maximum service until the final group of pilgrims returns safely.
Dahnil made this statement while seeing off the departure of Indonesian pilgrims at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to Dahnil, the repatriation phase is a crucial part of the Hajj administration that requires close attention and strict supervision from all ranks of officials.
“Alhamdulillah, part of the first group of pilgrims has begun arriving in the homeland smoothly. Hopefully, the entire process will proceed well until the end of the Hajj operational period,” said Dahnil.
He reminded officials not to slacken their services even though the peak rituals of Hajj at Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna) have been completed. He noted that a misconception often arises that service duties end after the Armuzna phase, whereas the repatriation process is actually a critical phase that determines the comfort and safety of the pilgrims.
“I always remind officials not to let their guard down. Usually, after Armuzna, there is an assumption that the task is nearly finished. In reality, the repatriation period is also very crucial because pilgrims still require the best service until they arrive at their respective homes,” he stated.
In addition to ensuring smooth transportation and the return of pilgrims, officials have also been instructed to continue overseeing catering and accommodation services for pilgrims still in the Holy Land awaiting their flight schedules.
On this occasion, Dahnil also urged pilgrims to comply with airline regulations regarding luggage. Pilgrims were asked to sort through souvenirs and personal belongings at their hotels to avoid complications during airport inspections.
“The tradition of bringing souvenirs is certainly very good. However, pilgrims must pay attention to aviation rules so that the departure process runs smoothly and does not cause obstacles at the airport,” he said.
The government hopes that the entire return process for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims this year can proceed safely, orderly, and smoothly until the final group returns to the homeland.