Hajj pilgrims urged to focus on worship and avoid activities outside hajj interests
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of DPR RI Commission VIII Atalia Praratya has urged Indonesian hajj pilgrims to focus on carrying out the series of worship rituals and to avoid activities outside hajj interests that could potentially cause risks or excessive fatigue.
The appeal was made following a bus accident that affected Indonesian hajj pilgrims in the Jabal Magnet area, Madinah, on Tuesday (28/4).
Atalia, as stated in a release received in Jakarta on Thursday, said that the safety of pilgrims must be the top priority during the hajj worship, including by limiting activities outside the main agenda that has been set.
“On behalf of DPR RI Commission VIII, I express my concern over the bus accident that affected Indonesian hajj pilgrims in Madinah. Alhamdulillah, there were no fatalities, and the injured pilgrims have received prompt medical treatment,” she said.
The safety and protection of pilgrims is a mandate of Law Number 14 of 2025 on the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah Worship. Therefore, she assessed that all pilgrim activities must remain within the corridor of safety.
On the other hand, she appreciated the swift response from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, and all hajj officials who have provided assistance and accompaniment to the affected pilgrims.
The legislator in the field of religion and social affairs reminded that focusing on the main worship and compliance with instructions from officials is an important step to minimise risks during the hajj worship.
DPR RI Commission VIII, continued Atalia, will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and all stakeholders to ensure that services, accompaniment, and recovery for pilgrims run optimally.
Previously, the government stated that there were no fatalities in the bus accident involving Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (JHI) from Kloter SUB-2 and Kloter JKS-1, and assured that the incident has been handled well.
Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI, Heni Hamidah, said the accident involved a JHI bus from Kloter SUB-2 and a JHI bus from Kloter JKS-1 during their return journey from a city tour activity in Jabal Magnet.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI through the Consulate General of RI in Jeddah is handling the traffic accident case experienced by the Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (JHI) group on 28 April 2026 in Saudi Arabia,” said Heni in a release received in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/4).
She explained that there were 10 injured individuals. Seven of them were pilgrims from Kloter JKS-1 from West Java, while the other three were from Kloter SUB-2 from Probolinggo Regency, East Java.
According to Heni, they sustained minor injuries and have received treatment from the health team and have returned to the Andalus Golden Hotel.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs assured that the pilgrims affected by the accident incident have received medical treatment and accompaniment from officials.
“The Ministry of Religious Affairs assures that the affected pilgrims have received medical treatment and accompaniment from officials,” said the Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Moh. Hasan Afandi, in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/4).