Kloter 17 Marks Final Return of North Sumatra Hajj Pilgrims

Medan (ANTARA) - The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for the Medan embarkation point announced that 229 pilgrims from Flight Group (Kloter) 17 Kualanamu have become the final group of North Sumatran Hajj pilgrims to return home. “Kloter 17 marks the conclusion of the return of North Sumatra’s Hajj pilgrims to the homeland,” said Zulkifli Sitorus, Chairman of the Medan Debarkation PPIH, after seeing off the 229 pilgrims of Kloter 17 Kualanamu at the Medan Hajj Dormitory on Sunday. He explained that Kloter 17 consists of pilgrims from eight regencies and cities in North Sumatra: 197 from Medan, 13 from Deli Serdang, five from Serdang Bedagai, two each from Padangsidempuan, Central Tapanuli, and Labuhanbatu, and one each from North Labuhanbatu and South Labuhanbatu, along with six flight officers. Data from the Medan Embarkation PPIH states that the total number of regular Hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra who returned home was 5,962, consisting of 5,894 pilgrims and 68 flight officers. It was recorded that nine pilgrims from North Sumatra passed away in the Holy Land, originating from six regencies and cities: Medan (3), Langkat (2), and one each from Mandailing Natal, North Padang Lawas, South Tapanuli, and Asahan. “Hajjah Rukayah is waiting to recover and be declared fit to fly,” Zulkifli added. North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, represented by Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare Basarin Yunus Tanjung, welcomed the pilgrims home. “Alhamdulillah, after performing the Hajj pilgrimage, you have returned safely and can gather again with your beloved families,” he said. The North Sumatra Provincial Government expressed appreciation to all Hajj officers and related parties for their hard work in providing the best services to the pilgrims. The provincial government also continues to support efforts to improve the quality of Hajj services so that pilgrims can worship safely, comfortably, healthily, and solemnly.