PPIH: 1,567 Acehnese pilgrims have arrived safely back in Indonesia

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for the Aceh embarkation point has reported that 1,567 Acehnese pilgrims from four flight groups (kloter) have arrived safely back in Indonesia via Sultan Iskandar Muda (SIM) Airport in Aceh Besar. “A total of 1,567 Acehnese pilgrims from four flight groups have returned to the homeland through the Aceh Debarkation,” said Arijal, Head of PPIH Aceh Embarkation, in Banda Aceh on Friday. The 1,567 pilgrims who have arrived consist of 393 from the first group, 391 from the second, 392 from the third, and 391 from the fourth group. Arijal stated that overall, the total number of Acehnese pilgrims dispatched to the Holy Land previously reached 5,484 people. The remaining 3,905, grouped into 10 flight groups, are still in Saudi Arabia awaiting their return schedules. For information, the Acehnese pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia are queuing for repatriation, with all being flown back via the Amir Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz (AMAA) International Airport in Madinah until 30 June 2026. Separately, 12 Acehnese pilgrims died due to health problems or illness and have been buried in various cemeteries in both Makkah and Madinah. On this occasion, Arijal also mentioned that nine pilgrims are still in Saudi Arabia undergoing medical treatment. Seven are in hospitals in Makkah and two others in Madinah. He stressed that the PPIH Aceh Embarkation continues to monitor and coordinate with hajj officers in Saudi Arabia to ensure all processes there run smoothly. “We continue to ensure that health services and the repatriation of pilgrims proceed smoothly until all pilgrims return to their respective regions,” concluded Arijal.