Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Confirms 1,751 Hajj Pilgrims from Central Sulawesi Ready for Departure

Palu (ANTARA) - The Central Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (KemenHaj) has confirmed that 1,751 prospective Hajj pilgrims from Central Sulawesi are ready to depart to perform the fifth pillar of Islam in the Holy Land in May 2026.

“We confirm that preparations for the departure of Hajj pilgrims from Central Sulawesi have reached 100 per cent ahead of the 2026 Hajj season,” said the Head of the Central Sulawesi KemenHaj Regional Office, Muchlis Aseng, in Palu on Monday.

He stated that all travel documents for the pilgrims, including visas, have been fully processed by his office.

“Overall, the Hajj pilgrims’ visas have been issued, printed, and inserted into their passports,” he said.

He explained that these documents will subsequently be taken to the embarkation point and handed over to the pilgrims at the time of departure.

All Hajj pilgrims from Central Sulawesi are in a state ready for departure according to the established schedule.

He also assured that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East does not affect the pilgrims’ departure plans.

“As long as the escalation does not have an impact, the security and comfort of the pilgrims remain guaranteed,” Muchlis said.

The first batch is scheduled to enter the Hajj Dormitory on 7 May and depart for the Balikpapan Embarkation on 8 May.

He noted that the number of pilgrims this Hajj season has decreased compared to the previous year, from an initial quota of 1,753 people, with 19 outgoing mutations and 17 incoming mutations, resulting in a total of 1,751 people.

“Batch 13 will also join with some pilgrims from East Kalimantan,” he added.

He mentioned that the Central Sulawesi Hajj Dormitory can accommodate around 400 people, sufficient for one batch of approximately 360 individuals.

Additionally, there are about 351 elderly prospective Hajj pilgrims, or around 20 per cent of the total, with the oldest pilgrim aged 93 years from the city of Palu.

Muchlis urged all Hajj pilgrims to maintain their health and prepare themselves physically and mentally ahead of the departure.