Surabaya Mayor Praises Increasing Efficiency in Hajj Pilgrim Services at Embarkation Dormitory

Surabaya - The Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, assessed that the services for receiving and dispatching prospective Hajj pilgrims (JCH) at the Surabaya Hajj Embarkation Dormitory in East Java this year are increasingly efficient due to a more organised flow that reduces waiting times. “Earlier, upon entering, it was very quick, followed by health checks and other procedures divided into two locations, so it didn’t take long,” he said at the Surabaya Hajj Embarkation Dormitory in Surabaya on Monday. He explained that the acceleration of services is evident from the pilgrims entering the dormitory area until undergoing health checks before entering their rooms and quarantine prior to departing for Saudi Arabia. He stated that this year’s service system differs from previous years, which still featured long queues. According to him, placing pilgrims in different buildings for each flight group makes the departure process more orderly and efficient. “When batch 51 enters, they are already in a different building, so there’s no long wait. Previously, I saw long queues, but now it’s very quick,” said Cak Eri, his familiar nickname. He noted that health services up to the departure process are running well and provide comfort for the prospective Hajj pilgrims. “This is an extraordinary service. On behalf of Surabaya residents, I express matur nuwun (thank you) for the health services and dormitory services until departure,” he said. He also reminded pilgrims to maintain their health while performing Hajj, given that temperatures in Saudi Arabia are expected to reach 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. He urged pilgrims to immediately report to officers if they experience health issues, whether at the Surabaya Hajj Embarkation Dormitory or in Saudi Arabia. He hopes the pilgrims will maintain solidarity during the Hajj rituals. In addition, all of them return to the homeland with the predicate of Hajj mabrur. “May the officers be granted patience in accompanying the pilgrims, and all pilgrims return as those who have performed Hajj mabrur,” he said. The Surabaya Hajj Embarkation Dormitory on Monday received three batches of prospective Hajj pilgrims from Surabaya, arriving at 06.00, 07.00, and 20.35 WIB respectively. The departure of these three batches to Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Tuesday (5/5), at 04.10, 05.40, and 20.35 WIB respectively.