Two Prospective Hajj Pilgrims from North Sumatra Repatriated Due to Dementia

Two prospective Hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra failed to depart for the Holy Land this year and were repatriated to their home areas, respectively in South Tapanuli and Tanjung Balai.

The Head of the Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) for Medan Embarkation, Zulkifli Sitorus, stated that the two prospective pilgrims from North Sumatra were repatriated because they did not meet the ‘Istitha’ah’ criteria due to experiencing dementia, also known as senility, and mental or psychological disorders.

“The two prospective pilgrims with disorders are from South Tapanuli and Tanjung Balai,” said Zulkifli Sitorus, Head of PPIH Medan Embarkation, at the Medan Hajj Dormitory in North Sumatra on Monday, 4 April 2026.

Zulkifli explained that the health conditions of the two prospective pilgrims were identified during their final examination by the Medan Embarkation health team.

In addition to health conditions, there are several stages that every prospective pilgrim from North Sumatra must go through, such as the distribution of passports, wristbands, Nusuk Cards, and others. From these stages, PPIH Medan Embarkation officers determine whether a prospective pilgrim from North Sumatra is healthy and fit to be flown.

“Yesterday there were two people. One with dementia, and the other with a disorder that could disturb other pilgrims,” said Zulkifli.

According to him, the journey from Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang to Amir Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Medina takes more than eight hours.

“There was one who was about to act out and could disturb other pilgrims, especially on the plane. Usually, if on a plane, the pilot requests that they not be allowed to fly,” he explained.

Data from PPIH Medan Embarkation indicates that 5,990 prospective pilgrims, including 68 cluster hajj officials from North Sumatra, will depart from 22 April to 11 May 2026.

Up to the departure of Cluster 11 from Medan Embarkation today, 3,947 prospective pilgrims, including 44 officials or 65.89 percent, have arrived in the Holy Land, and 2,043 prospective pilgrims or 34.11 percent are still in the homeland. “Insya Allah, next year if their health improves, they can be departed,” said Zulkifli.