PPIH Prepares Substitute Hajj Staff

The Saudi Hajj Service Agency (PPIH) has prepared a substitute Hajj team to assist pilgrims who pass away before the wukuf ritual in Arafah. “Substitute Hajj is for pilgrims who die at the embarkation point, intermediate embarkation, or in Saudi Arabia before the Armuzna rituals,” said Erti Herlina, Head of the Hajj Guidance Section (Bimbad) of the Saudi Hajj Service Agency, to the Hajj Media Center team in Mecca on Saturday (23/5). Erti explained that regulations for substitute Hajj for deceased pilgrims are stipulated under Minister of Hajj and Umrah Decision No. 68 of 2026 on Wukuf Safari and Substitute Hajj, and Saudi PPIH Regulation No. 21 of 2026 on Substitute Hajj Implementation. According to Erti, the staff deployed come from the Bimbad team of the Saudi PPIH, Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Ministry officials who have already performed Hajj, and flight group pilgrimage guides (kloter). “We have prepared 587 substitute Hajj staff,” Erti said. Preliminary data as of Saturday (23/5) evening shows 78 pilgrims are scheduled for substitute Hajj. In addition to deceased pilgrims, Erti added that substitute Hajj is also possible for sick pilgrims unable to participate in the wukuf safari. Currently, 135 pilgrims are receiving hospital treatment. “We have asked the Saudi PPIH Health Section to list and prioritise the 135 patients from one to 135,” Erti said. Most of the treated pilgrims are in Mecca, with a small number in Medina. “We have requested the Health Section to estimate within two days which of the 135 may require substitute Hajj,” Erti said. (H-2) A Hajj candidate from Probolinggo, Asraf bin Sudami (65), died in Makkah on 14 May after intensive ICU treatment at a Saudi hospital due to respiratory failure. The Saudi PPIH is finalising the murur scheme for elderly and special-needs pilgrims to ease congestion in Muzdalifah during the peak Armuzna rituals. Indonesian Hajj Group Two began entering Mecca on 7 May 2026, with SOC-44 kloter leading the arrival of 5,795 pilgrims on the first day. The Saudi PPIH has deployed 52 specialised buses to support mobility for Indonesian disabled pilgrims. The Saudi Hajj Service Agency (PPIH) is finalising operational preparations for the 2026 Hajj peak in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). The Saudi PPIH has urged Indonesian 2026 Hajj pilgrims to manage their worship rhythm wisely at Masjidil Haram to avoid fatigue and heatstroke risks due to high temperatures.