Two Hajj Candidates from Padang Embarkation Cancel Departure Due to Illness

Padang (ANTARA) - The West Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah states that two Hajj candidates from the province will not be departing for the 1447 Hijriah Hajj season due to illness. “Two Hajj candidates are cancelling their departure this year because the individuals’ health conditions do not permit travel to the Holy Land,” said the Head of the West Sumatra Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Regional Office, M. Rifki, in Padang City on Saturday. The two Hajj candidates who failed to depart hail from Payakumbuh City and Tanah Datar Regency. They are from the elderly group category and are high-risk. Although confirmed to miss the 1447 Hijriah Hajj season, both Hajj candidates still have the right to depart next year. However, if they remain unable or fail to meet the requirements for departure next year, those rights can be transferred to the Hajj candidate’s family. In general, around 26 percent of the Hajj pilgrims who are elderly or high-risk are departing this Hajj season from the Padang Embarkation. “So, there are 26 percent elderly out of 5,400 Hajj candidates who have already departed. Initially, there were 5,402 Hajj candidates, but we had to open seats for two people who failed to be sent off,” he said. Meanwhile, to date, there are two Hajj candidates from the Padang Embarkation who have passed away in the Holy Land. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has communicated this matter with the Saudi Arabian Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), including regarding the rights of the pilgrims that will be fulfilled. “The rights will be fulfilled, for example, substitute Hajj, including insurance rights will be handed over to the Hajj candidate’s family,” he stated.