Ministry Of Religion Still Looking For Missing Hajj Pilgrims In Saudi Arabia

Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers (PHU) of the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief (ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad)

JAKARTA - Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers (PHU) of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag)Hilman Latief said the search for missing pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is still ongoing.

"Search efforts continue, basically we have collaborated with the Indonesian Consulate General," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 15.

Even though the Hajj operation has been stopped, Hilman said the Indonesian government is still seeking the search for lost pilgrims through the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI).

Hilman said the Indonesian Consulate General was also working with local officials in the search for the missing pilgrims. However, he continued, until now there has been no sign of the discovery of the missing pilgrims.

"We have traced it at the hospital, then to the forensic places where there are usually bodies, there is no (signs) yet," said Hilman when confirmed regarding the status of the missing pilgrims.

Previously, the Ministry of Religion reported that eight Hajj participants were declared missing, seven of whom were found. While the other one on behalf of Idun Rohim Zen (87) is still in the process of being searched.

Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has emphasized that the search for missing Hajj participants in the Holy Land does not have a time limit.

"I have ordered the officers, especially Linjam (district protection) there to continue to look for our missing congregation indefinitely," said Minister of Religion Yaqut on July 27, 2023.