Sawahlunto Hajj Kloter PDG 12 Pilgrim Dies Before Peak Rituals
Mainusni Marukun (74), a Hajj pilgrim from Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra, passed away in Mecca, Saudi Arabia after being referred to Al Noor Hospital in Makkah. The deceased, who was accommodated at Tower 9C of Hotel Al Hidayah, died on Friday, 22 May 2026 at 12:30 Saudi Arabia Time (SAT), before the commencement of the peak Hajj rituals in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).
Despite her preparations for the peak rituals, there were no signs she would pass away. This information was shared by the Hajj Guide, Yusmanto, and the Kloter PDG 12 Leader, Ifkar. She had received medical treatment multiple times due to breathing difficulties.
The deceased was referred to Al Noor Hospital in Makkah twice. After treatment, she was discharged back to the hotel for continued care with the sector and kloter health team.
“The patient was referred to the hospital twice due to breathing difficulties, but her condition remained stable and was under constant monitoring by health officials,” the kloter officer wrote on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Yusmanto stated that medical examinations diagnosed her with acute lung edema and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), a condition involving fluid buildup in the lungs causing breathlessness and heart complications.
Although her condition was stable on Friday morning, she was able to eat, communicate normally, and appeared enthusiastic about the Armuzna departure.
“That morning, she could eat, speak normally, and seemed enthusiastic about preparing for Armuzna,” the kloter officer said.
However, after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayer, the kloter received reports from her roommates that her condition had suddenly deteriorated.
“Kloter doctors and nurses immediately provided medical assistance, including an EKG check. However, the results showed her heart had stopped beating,” they explained.
Despite this, the officials transported her to the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) in Makkah for further checks per Saudi Arabia’s procedures for handling sick and deceased pilgrims.
After being declared deceased, the body was handled by the syarikah (service company) along with the Saudi Hajj Service Agency (PPIH). She was then prayed over at Masjidil Haram after Maghrib prayer before being buried at Al Sharaya Cemetery in Makkah.
The Head of West Sumatra’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Office, M. Rifki, expressed deep condolences for the death of the Sawahlunto pilgrim.
He also explained the rights of Hajj pilgrims who pass away before the peak rituals. Rifki stated that all post-mortem procedures for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are carried out free of charge, including washing, shrouding, prayer, and burial handled by syarikah and PPIH.
Additionally, deceased pilgrims are entitled to a substitute Hajj, so officials must promptly report deaths to the sector for PPIH Saudi Arabia to arrange the substitute Hajj.
“Pilgrims who pass away before completing all Hajj rituals will still have their substitute Hajj arranged by officials,” Rifki said.
He added that heirs would receive death insurance benefits as per regulations, with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah handling the claims process before transferring to the family.
“Families need not worry about the deceased’s belongings in the Holy Land, as they will be returned to the heirs through PPIH procedures,” he added.
Rifki also urged regional Hajj and Umrah offices to visit the families and inform them about the rights of deceased pilgrims.
As of Sunday, 24 May, five pilgrims from the Padang embarkation point had died in Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj operations. For deceased pilgrims, the Certificate of Death (COD) from hospitals is pending.
Pilgrims have died from various causes, including systemic inflammatory response, acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiogenic shock, and septic shock.
The government, through Hajj officials, will ensure all pilgrim rights are met, including substitute Hajj for the deceased.
Fatigue and weather differences are suspected to have contributed to deteriorating health conditions.
Another Hajj pilgrim from Kloter JKG 27, Muhammad Firdaus Akhlan (72), reported missing, will be prayed over at Masjidil Haram in Mecca.
A Hajj pilgrim from Brebes, Akhmad Nurokhman bin Zaeni, died at Saudi Germany Hospital in Madinah after heart treatment.
Preliminary data as of Saturday, 23 May evening, shows 78 pilgrims will undergo substitute Hajj.
PPIH Saudi Arabia is finalising the murur scheme for elderly and disabled pilgrims to ease congestion in Muzdalifah during the peak Hajj Armuzna.
Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the second wave began entering Mecca on 7 May 2026, with Kloter SOC-44 leading the arrival of 5,795 pilgrims on the first day.
PPIH Saudi Arabia has deployed 52 dedicated buses to support mobility for Indonesian disabled pilgrims.
PPIH Saudi Arabia is finalising preparations for the 2026 Hajj peak operations in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).