Three Hajj Pilgrims from East Java Return Home Early via Tanazul Scheme

Three Hajj pilgrims from East Java have been returned early through the ‘tanazul’ scheme, a policy designed to provide ease by allowing pilgrims to separate themselves from their original group during departure.

The Chairman of the Surabaya Debarkasi Hajj Committee, As’adul Anam, stated in Surabaya on Thursday (11/6) that this policy is granted to pilgrims with special conditions, particularly regarding health issues. However, it is subject to the condition that there are vacant seats available in the returning group.

“Those vacant seats are filled by pilgrims from other groups using the tanazul scheme. So far, there are three tanazul pilgrims being returned via Group 20 and Group 30,” said Anam in Surabaya.

Anam explained that the majority of pilgrims returning early via the tanazul scheme do so due to health reasons. However, the process can only be executed once the pilgrims’ conditions have been declared stable by Hajj officials.

The tanazul scheme is a special provision given to Hajj pilgrims during the repatriation phase. Under this policy, pilgrims in emergency conditions can return earlier without waiting for the scheduled departure of their original group.

“Most are due to illness. Their conditions have improved, and their families requested that they be returned sooner,” he explained.

The three pilgrims were returned by joining other groups that still had vacant seats. They were included in Group 20 and Group 30, which arrived at the Surabaya Debarkasi on Wednesday (10/6) night.

A total of 44,000 pilgrims and officials are planned to return through the Surabaya Debarkasi. Antigen swab tests for 11 Hajj pilgrims who fell ill upon arrival at the Sukolilo Hajj Dormitory in Surabaya showed negative results for COVID-19.

There were 376 pilgrims from Group 8 who arrived in the country, while four other pilgrims remain in Saudi Arabia. The tanazul scheme, which was planned to be followed by approximately 37,000 pilgrims, was suddenly cancelled and postponed for next year’s Hajj implementation. The government continues to refine the tanazul scheme, which is intended to be officially implemented for the 1446 Hijri/2025 AD Hajj season.