Hajj Pilgrims from North Maluku Arrive in Makassar Debarkation

Makassar (ANTARA) - Hajj pilgrims from Flying Group (Kloter) 15 originating from North Maluku Province arrived back in Indonesia via the Makassar Debarkation in South Sulawesi and were accommodated for a day at the Sudiang Hajj Dormitory in Makassar to rest before their onward flight.

Secretary of the Makassar Debarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), Asa Afif Bachri, expressed gratitude on Saturday for the pilgrims’ return after completing the entire series of Hajj rituals. “On behalf of the government, we welcome you back to the homeland. We also apologise if there were any shortcomings in the service during the Hajj pilgrimage process,” he said.

Asa Afif Bahri also commended the flight group officers who accompanied the pilgrims for approximately 41 days in Saudi Arabia during every stage of the rituals. “May all the pilgrims attain the title of Hajj Mabrur. The reward for a Hajj Mabrur is none other than paradise,” he stated.

Assistant II for Economic Affairs and Development Administration of the North Maluku Provincial Secretariat, Isri Haryati Hatari, conveyed gratitude for the pilgrims’ return while also expressing condolences over the passing of two Hajj pilgrims from North Maluku, namely Siti Totou Umar (67) and Darsono Baguna Muis (60). Another pilgrim, Mohtar Karim Farahat (65), is still undergoing treatment in Jeddah and could not be repatriated with the group.

She added that the pilgrims from North Maluku are scheduled to continue their journey to Ternate on Sunday (14/6). The handover ceremony for Kloter 15 was also attended by the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for North Maluku Province and the Head of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Office for Gowa Regency.

With the arrival of Kloter 15, the total number of pilgrims and officers who have returned to Indonesia via Makassar Debarkation has reached 5,881 people. Meanwhile, 10,841 other pilgrims and officers are still in Saudi Arabia and will be repatriated in stages through Makassar Debarkation. Kloter 15 transported 391 passengers, consisting of 374 pilgrims from North Maluku, 10 pilgrims from Gowa Regency, one pilgrim from Bone Regency in South Sulawesi, one other pilgrim from Maluku Province, and five flight group officers.