Kloter 17 Marks Final Return of North Sumatra Hajj Pilgrims

Medan (ANTARA) - The Medan Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) has announced that 229 pilgrims in Flight 17 (Kloter 17) Kualanamu represent the final group of pilgrims from North Sumatra returning to the homeland.

“Flight 17 serves as the closing series of the return of North Sumatra Hajj pilgrims to the homeland,” said the Chairman of the Medan Debarkation PPIH, Zulkifli Sitorus, following the departure of the 229 pilgrims from the Medan Hajj Dormitory on Sunday.

He explained that Flight 17 consists of pilgrims from eight regencies/cities in North Sumatra, including 197 people from Medan, 13 from Deli Serdang, and five from Serdang Bedagai. Additionally, there were two pilgrims each from Padangsidempuan, Central Tapanuli, and Labuhanbatu; one each from North Labuhanbatu and South Labuhanbatu; as well as six group officers.

Data from the Medan Embarkation PPIH shows that the total number of regular Hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra returning to the country amounted to 5,962, comprising 5,894 pilgrims and 68 group officers.

It was recorded that nine male and female pilgrims from North Sumatra passed away in the Holy Land, originating from six regencies/cities: Medan (3), Langkat (2), Mandailing Natal (1), North Padang Lawas (1), South Tapanuli (1), and Asahan (1).

“Hajjah Rukayah waited to recover and was declared fit to fly,” said Zulkifli.

The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, extended a warm welcome back to the homeland and to their home villages for all pilgrims in Flight 17 Kualanamu.

“Alhamdulillah, after performing the Hajj pilgrimage, you have returned safely and are reunited with your beloved families,” said Bobby, represented by the Assistant for Governance and People’s Welfare of the North Sumatra Provincial Secretariat, Basarin Yunus Tanjung.

He added that the North Sumatra Provincial Government appreciates all Hajj officers and related parties for their hard work in providing the best services to the pilgrims.

The North Sumatra Provincial Government also continues to support efforts to improve the quality of Hajj services to ensure that pilgrims can worship safely, comfortably, healthily, and with devotion.