Shalawat Bus Service to Halt Tomorrow; Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Urged Not to Strain Themselves to Masjid al-Haram

MAKKAH, Indonesia News – The shalawat bus service, which has been transporting Indonesian pilgrims from hotels to Masjid al-Haram, will be temporarily halted starting Friday, 5 Dzulhijjah or 22 May at 18:00 local Saudi time (WAS). The pause is to accommodate preparations for the peak Hajj rites in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). The Head of Transport Section of the Pilgrim Welfare Agency (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, Syarif Rahman, urged pilgrims to adjust their worship activities accordingly.

We urge pilgrims to worship in mushallas or mosques around their hotels only. Because the stoppage coincides with Friday, pilgrims are advised not to force themselves to continue praying at Masjid al-Haram, Syarif said at the Makkah Daker Office on Wednesday (20/5/2026) Saudi time.

The shalawat bus service will resume normal operations after Armuzna, specifically on 14 Dzulhijjah from 01:00 WAS.

For the first wave of pilgrims, particularly the early clusters who will soon return home after Armuzna, PPIH assures that the shalawat bus service is ready to facilitate their worship needs. Pilgrims can use the shalawat bus for Tawaf Ifadah and Tawaf Wada’. With this service, pilgrims do not need to walk long distances or incur extra costs to take taxis.

Once again, we will provide (the bus service) to pilgrims performing Tawaf Ifadah and Tawaf Wada’,” Syarif said.