Missing Indonesian Hajj pilgrim found dead and to be buried in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that Indonesian Hajj pilgrim Muhammad Firdaus, who was reported missing and later found dead, will be buried in Saudi Arabia. Firdaus, a member of the JKG 27 group, was reported missing since 15 May 2026 from the hotel where he was staying in Mecca. Saudi authorities located him deceased on 22 May 2026 local time. Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Mohammad Hasan Afandi, said all pilgrims who die in the Holy Land are buried in Saudi Arabia, including Firdaus. ‘All pilgrims who die in Saudi Arabia are buried there. Depending on where they die. If death occurs in Mecca, they are buried in Mecca,’ he told Tempo on Saturday, 23 May 2026. Representing the Petugas Penyelenggara Ibadah Haji (PPIH) Saudi Arabia, Hasan expressed condolences over Firdaus’ death. He also commended the family of the deceased, KJRI Jeddah, Saudi authorities, the hospital, the Hajj staff, and the Indonesian public who helped and prayed during the search. In addition, the government will arrange a badal haji for the deceased to be carried out by Hajj officers. ‘The government through PPIH Saudi Arabia will arrange a badal haji for the deceased,’ Hasan said in a separate statement. Head of the Jemaah Protection Division PPIH Saudi Arabia 2026, Col. (Ret.) Muftiono, said Firdaus was found in the Jabal Kuday area on Friday, around 02:00 local time. ‘The deceased was found in Jabal Kuday, about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from the lodging. Found by Saudi Arabian troops on patrol,’ Muftiono said in a video statement, 23 May 2026. Earlier, Firdaus was reported missing after he did not return to the accommodation since Friday, 15 May 2026. Spokesman for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ichsan Marsha, said the missing report was received via Kawal Haji Channel on 16 May 2026. According to reports, Firdaus left the hotel without carrying identification, wearing only a white T-shirt and sarong. CCTV footage showed him leaving alone at 09:04 local time wearing only a Hajj bracelet as a marker. Ichsan said the hotel lobby was relatively quiet at that time as most pilgrims prepared for Friday prayers. Since the report was received, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has formed several search teams. The teams scoured various locations, from hotels, the Masjid al-Haram area, to surrounding streets. A protection team for pilgrims from Madinah was deployed to widen the search. ‘The search also extended to hospitals in Mecca and the surrounding area,’ said Ichsan.