The Ministry Of Religion Of Belitung Reports Five Pilgrims Of Belitung Hajj Candidates Using Wheelchairs

JAKARTA - The office of the Ministry of Religion of Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, noted that of the 57 prospective pilgrims of the Belitung Hajj, five pilgrims must use wheelchairs to carry out a series of Hajj services in the Holy Land due to health and age conditions.

"We noted that there were as many as five pilgrims from Belitung who had to use wheelchairs while in the Holy Land due to age factors," said Acting Head of the Belitung Ministry of Religion H. Suyanto in Tanjungpandan, Thursday.

According to him, the five pilgrims from Belitung had to use the wheelchair while in the Holy Land for an average age of 75 years to 81 years.

He said that initially there were only three prospective pilgrims from the area who had to use wheelchairs, but now two people have increased to five people.

"They have to use wheelchairs for mobility or movement while in the Holy Land," he said as reported by ANTARA.

It was said that of the five pilgrims who had to use the wheelchair, there were those who already had a companion ID and some who did not have a companion.

"For those who do not have a companion, they will be assisted by Hajj officers while in the Holy Land," he said.

Suyanto added, if later the pilgrims who are members of batch VI consist of South Bangka, Belitung, and East Belitung use many wheelchairs, it will be recommended to use scooters while in the Holy Land.

"So later at the Grand Mosque they will use scooters," he said.

He appealed to pilgrims from Belitung to be able to maintain health conditions ahead of departure.

"The temperature in Saudi Arabia during this year's Hajj season is reported to be around 42 degrees Celsius," he said.

It is said that as many as 57 prospective pilgrims from Belitung will depart for the Hajj dormitory in Pangkalpinang on Thursday (8/5).

Pilgrims from Belitung are included in the group VI joined South Bangka and East Belitung.

He conveyed that the event for the release of the departure of pilgrims from the area will take place at the Multipurpose Building (GSG) Ishak Zainudin on Thursday (8/5).

They will be released directly by the Regent of Belitung Djoni Alamsyah and the Deputy Regent of Belitung Syamsir and the local Forkopimda ranks.

"On Thursday, (8/5) at 07.30 WIB, pilgrims were already in the multipurpose building to participate in the ceremonial departure ceremony and there will also be souvenirs from the Belitung Hajj pilgrims in 2024," he said.