Kloter 17 Kualanamu Officially Concludes Return of North Sumatra Hajj Pilgrims

The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for Medan Embarkation announced that 229 pilgrims from Flight Group (Kloter) 17 Kualanamu marked the conclusion of the return of North Sumatran pilgrims to the homeland. “Kloter 17 is the final series in the return of North Sumatran Hajj pilgrims,” said Medan Debarkation PPIH Chairman Zulkifli Sitorus after releasing the 229 pilgrims at the Medan Hajj Dormitory on Sunday (21/6/2026). He explained that Kloter 17 comprised pilgrims from eight districts and cities in North Sumatra: 197 from Medan, 13 from Deli Serdang, and five from Serdang Bedagai. Additionally, Padangsidimpuan, Central Tapanuli, and Labuhanbatu each contributed two pilgrims, North Labuhanbatu and South Labuhanbatu one each, along with six flight group officers. Data from the Medan Embarkation PPIH stated that the total number of regular Hajj pilgrims returning to North Sumatra was 5,962, consisting of 5,894 pilgrims and 68 flight group officers. It was recorded that nine North Sumatran pilgrims died in the Holy Land, originating from six districts and cities: Medan (three), Langkat (two), and one each from Mandailing Natal, North Padang Lawas, South Tapanuli, and Asahan. A female pilgrim named Rukayah Wahab from Deli Serdang Regency, who was part of Kloter 15 Kualanamu, is still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. “Hajjah Rukayah is waiting to recover and be declared fit to fly,” Zulkifli said.