PPIH: 378 First Batch of Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Surabaya

SURABAYA - The Chairman of the Surabaya Debarkation Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) Mohammad As'adul Anam stated that 378 pilgrims of the first batch arrived in Surabaya, out of a total of 380 pilgrims and officers who departed for the Holy Land.

"The first batch of this departed 380 people. One pilgrim died before the peak of the hajj so that his departure was canceled and he got all his rights, both insurance and certificates. Another pilgrim is sick and still being treated," said Anam when welcoming the arrival of the first batch from Probolinggo Regency at the Surabaya Hajj Dormitory, Monday night.

He explained that the sick pilgrim was named Abdul Djalal and is currently being treated at Al-Noor Hospital, Saudi Arabia, and will be repatriated to Indonesia through the next batch when his condition is ready to travel.

"God willing, we will see the development. If it is healthy, it will be included in the next batches," he said.

Furthermore, he added that the arrival of pilgrims this year at the Surabaya Debarkasi uses a seamless corridor system that is integrated with immigration services and health checks so that the arrival process becomes faster.

So, he continued, pilgrims do not need to unpack their bags to give their passports and stamp as a sign of arrival in their home country.

Currently, said Anam, East Java is the second region to implement this service after Jakarta.

"I think there are no obstacles and we hope that all the next batches can go like this so that the process will be faster," he said.

Meanwhile, Anam also said that so far there are 34 Indonesian pilgrims who have been reported to have died in Saudi Arabia.

"The heirs of the deceased pilgrims will receive insurance compensation worth the Hajj Travel Cost (BPIH) according to the applicable provisions, which God willing will be completed before the return of the batch," he said.