Second Wave of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Deemed More Orderly, Homesickness Suspected as Trigger

The process of returning Indonesian Hajj pilgrims from hotels in Madinah to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport has been assessed as faster and more orderly. For instance, pilgrims from embarkation and group BTJ 6 were ready to depart for the airport ahead of schedule. Head of Sector 3 Madinah, Irfan Darmawan Syah, stated that pilgrims, perhaps due to longing for their homeland, would promptly bring down their belongings before the designated time. He noted that during the repatriation of the second wave, pilgrims were more disciplined and moved more quickly compared to previous phases. The process was also smoother because the pilgrims’ large suitcases had been transported two days earlier, meaning they only carried small bags when boarding the buses. This contrasts with the arrival phase from Indonesia or Makkah, where pilgrims carried both large and small suitcases. Irfan expressed hope that this orderliness would continue until the end of the repatriation period and reminded pilgrims not to carry prohibited items such as Zamzam water, lighters, or power banks, as these would be confiscated during airport security checks.