Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Deputy Speaker of DPR Send Off Banten's First Hajj Flight Group

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad saw off the departure of prospective hajj pilgrims from the Banten embarkation point in the first flight group (kloter) or JKB 01 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Wednesday.

The send-off was marked by the handing over of the Red and White flag to the leader of kloter JKB 01, Muhammad Suryadi, who will lead 391 pilgrims from Banten to the Holy Land.

“We continue to strive for the best services so that the pilgrims can perform their worship with devotion,” said Menhaj Mochamad Irfan Yusuf in his remarks.

Menhaj stated that the departure of Banten’s first kloter is a moment filled with hope and prayers from pilgrims who have waited for years for this opportunity to perform hajj.

He emphasised that this year’s hajj organisation is the first since the establishment of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj). The government, he said, is fully committed to providing protection and the best services to the pilgrims.

“The situation in the Middle East certainly raises concerns for pilgrims and their families… In this regard, the state is present. We continue to coordinate intensively with relevant parties so that the security, protection, and safety of the pilgrims become the priority,” said Menhaj Irfan.

He asked the pilgrims to remain focused on performing their worship and to entrust the service aspects to the hajj officials.

He appreciated several innovations introduced in this year’s hajj mission, such as the addition of fast-track services at the Makassar embarkation point, the distribution of Nusuk cards while still in Indonesia, and reduced service costs.

“May all pilgrims become hajj pilgrims who are accepted,” said Dasco.

In addition to Menhaj and the Deputy Speaker of DPR RI, several officials were also present, including Deputy Speaker of DPR RI Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Menimpas) Agus Andrianto, Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Dudy Purwagandhi, and the President’s Special Advisor for Hajj Affairs Muhadjir Effendy.