Many Elderly Pilgrims Arrive Without Companions; Indonesian Hajj Officials Take Over Wheelchair Assistance
By Fernan Rahadi from Medina, Saudi Arabia (Hajj 2026 Media Center)
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JEDDAH – The high number of elderly pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season presents a unique challenge for the operational management of arrival services at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Indonesian Hajj officials are now not only tasked with managing the flow of arrivals but are also actively taking over the assistance of elderly pilgrims and wheelchair users who arrive without family companions.
Head of the Airport Working Area of the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Basir, said that as of Tuesday (May 12, 2026), a total of 141,161 pilgrims from 365 groups had arrived in Saudi Arabia. Of this number, approximately 30,658 are elderly pilgrims.
“There are still many elderly pilgrims and wheelchair users who arrive without companions. Therefore, officials immediately assist by pushing wheelchairs and accompanying pilgrims during the arrival service process,” said Basir.
According to him, providing assistance is an important part of ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims from the moment they arrive at the airport until they depart for Mecca.
In addition to the issue of elderly pilgrims, officials are also encountering other challenges in the field, such as pilgrims who have not yet completed their Ihram rituals, belongings left in the inspection area, and passports damaged due to tearing or stapling.
For pilgrims who have not completed their Ihram rituals, officials provide guidance and help them recite the Umrah intention before they continue their journey to Mecca.
“Officials help pilgrims complete their Ihram and repeat the Umrah intention so that their worship remains in accordance with the regulations,” said Basir.
Meanwhile, for pilgrims who experience document problems, especially damaged passports, officials provide special assistance during the immigration inspection process.
The PPIH in Saudi Arabia is also handling the issue of pilgrims who are separated from their groups or have lost contact with their companions by coordinating directly with the Mecca Working Area.
According to Basir, the dynamics of arrival services are unavoidable in the operation of a large-scale Hajj. However, the readiness of officials in the field is key to ensuring that every issue can be addressed immediately without disrupting the comfort of pilgrims.
“The main point is that we ensure that all pilgrims continue to be served well from the moment they arrive at the airport until they reach their hotels in Mecca,” he said.