Minister of Hajj and Umrah Welcomes Return of Hajj Pilgrims Flight 17 in Makassar

Makassar (ANTARA) - Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia, Moch. Irvan Yusuf, received the arrival of Hajj pilgrims from Flight Group (Kloter) 17 of the Makassar Debarkation, South Sulawesi, and handed them back to the Regional Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) at the Sudiang Hajj Hostel in Makassar. “Welcome back to all pilgrims who have returned to the homeland after completing the long series of Hajj rituals. May everyone be able to maintain the acceptance of their Hajj,” he said in Makassar on Sunday. Minister Irvan Yusuf expressed hope that after returning to their respective hometowns, the pilgrims would improve the quality of their worship and social behaviour within the community. “One of the characteristics of an accepted Hajj (haji mabrur) is increasingly better worship, better behaviour, better ways of interacting in society, and better relationships in the surrounding environment,” he stated. Gus Irvan also conveyed his appreciation to all Hajj officers who are still on duty in Saudi Arabia overseeing the process of returning pilgrims. He asked them to maintain their dedication and professionalism until the last pilgrim returns to the homeland. After delivering his remarks, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah symbolically handed the Hajj pilgrims of Flight 17 of the Makassar Debarkation back to the Regional Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for subsequent return to their respective regions. The procession was attended by the Chairman of the Makassar Embarkation/Debarkation PPIH, Ikbal Ismail; the Mayor of Makassar, Munafri Arifuddin; the Regent of Sinjai, Ratnawati Arif; Assistant I of the Bone Regency Government, Yasmin Tahir; the Head of the Makassar Hajj Hostel, Zulkifli Hijas; and other Hajj operational stakeholders at the Makassar Embarkation. Amid the atmosphere of gratitude for the pilgrims’ return, a tribute to the late Dr. Fitri Rizkyani served as a reminder that the success of the Hajj operation is also built upon the sacrifices of officers who dedicated themselves to serving the pilgrims, even until the end of their lives. Flight 17 of the Makassar Debarkation arrived in the homeland via Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport at 07:02 WITA aboard a Garuda Indonesia aircraft with flight number GIA 1417. This flight group was a combined group of pilgrims from Makassar City, Bone Regency, and Sinjai Regency. According to data from the Makassar Debarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), a total of 391 pilgrims and Hajj officers arrived with Flight 17. This number consisted of 133 men and 258 women. The breakdown includes 164 people from Makassar City, 177 people from Bone Regency, and 44 people from Sinjai Regency. Out of the total 393 pilgrims and officers dispatched, two individuals did not return with the group. A pilgrim from Makassar City, Rasmi Undu Karodda (76), is still undergoing treatment at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Mecca. Meanwhile, a pilgrim from Bone Regency, Andi Kanda Rappang (64), passed away in the Holy Land on 30 May 2026.